DC Volleyball Remains Unblemished in HCAC Play at Franklin

FRANKLIN, Ind. – The Yellow Jacket volleyball team is off to its best start in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference play in three seasons. Defiance had its second dominating performance of the week as the Jackets handled Franklin with ease, winning in straight sets by scores of 25-13, 25-13 and 25-18. DC followed a win in the opener with a 25-11, 25-17, 25-18 win in the second match against IU-Kokomo.

DC began its first of two matches on Saturday with a strong opening performance against the Grizzlies. The Jackets dictated play from the start by winning the first two sets in decisive 25-13, 25-13 fashion. Franklin faired only marginally better in the last set, managing to score 18 points before losing 25-18 to Defiance.

The DC attack was led by a trio of Jackets in the match against Franklin. Sophomore setter Alicia Kalik totaled 41 assists in only three sets for the second-consecutive match. Sophomore hitter Bree Anderson led the Jackets in kills with 12 and junior middle blocker Alexis Pierce added 10 kills to help the Purple and Gold to victory.

The Yellow Jackets used its momentum they had built up in the first match to roll past IU-Kokomo in the second match of the afternoon. The Purple and Gold once again disposed of its opponent with ease, needing only three short sets to win its third straight match.

Leading the way for Defiance in match two was Pierce with 13 kills. After the two Saturday performances Pierce has registered double-digit kill totals in 14 of the 19 matches the junior has played. Fellow junior Chelsea Ludeman also notched 10 or more kills for the ninth time this season with 11 in the match. Kalik continued her impressive setting display with 31 assists, averaging over 10 per set.

The pair of DC performances mark the third-straight time the Purple and Gold did not let the opposition reach 20 points in any set. Saturday marks the fourth time DC has accomplished the feat this season.

With the Saturday sweep, Defiance moves its record to 12-8 on the season and 2-0 in conference action. The Jackets look to continue their strong play against HCAC opponent Manchester University on Wednesday, October 3. The match is at Manchester and is set to begin at 7:00 p.m.