Volleyball Wins Final Matches of Rose-Hulman Invite

TERRE HAUTE, IND.  --  The Defiance College volleyball team wrapped up the Rose-Hulman (Ind.) Invitational with a pair of 3-1 victories against Illinois Institute of Technology and Webster (Mo.) University in Terre Haute, Ind.

In the first match of the day, Defiance (5-3) defeated Illinois Tech by the scores of 25-18, 25-20, 24-26 and 25-19.  The Yellow Jackets had a lone player post double-figures in kills in senior Bree Anderson (Huntertown, Ind./Carroll) with 14.  Freshman Meredith Shank (Maumee/Springfield) and sophomore Kelsey Tietje (Deshler/Patrick Henry) were tied for second with nine kills each.  

Setting up the offensive attack was senior setter Alicia Kalik (South Lyon, Mich./South Lyon) 34 assists.

Defensively, the Jackets had two players record 10 or more digs led by junior Rebecca Kain (Orland, Ind./Prairie Heights) with 25.  Kalik was second with 14 digs.  

Up front for DC, sophomore Hope Neargarder (Union City/Mississinawa Valley) and Tietje both had a team-best four total blocks.  Neargarder had three solo blocks and an assist, while Tietje tallied a solo block and three assists.  

In the final match of the tournament, Defiance beat Webster in four sets, 26-24, 25-20, 20-25 and 25-21.  The Yellow Jacket offense was again led by Anderson with a match-high 17 kills.  Shank was second with 13 kills and Tietje rounded out the double figure kill leaders with 10.  

Setting up the offensive attack was Kalik with a match-high 49 assists.

Defensively, the Jackets had five players record 10 or more digs led by Kain with 29.  Kalik followed closely behind with 28 digs and sophomore Dia Jackson (Detroit, Mich./Canton) added 19 digs.  Freshman Jaidyn Patridge (Toledo/Springfield) and sophomore Makayla Dennis (Bryan) completed the list of players with 10 or more digs with 15 and 11 respectively.  

Up front for DC, Anderson and Shank both tallied a pair of solo blocks to lead the team.

Defiance will host Heidelberg University in a non-conference match on Tuesday, Sept. 9 at the Karl H. Weaner Center in the home opener.  The match is set to begin at 7 p.m.