Jackets challenge first-place Aquinas, fall in four sets at home

DEFIANCE, Ohio – The Defiance Yellow Jackets and Aquinas Saints treated the fans at the Karl H. Weaner Center to a competitive match that saw the visitors depart with a 3-1 victory over DC (24-26, 25-18, 20-25, 19-25).

The Yellow Jackets (12-7, 5-2 WHAC) suffered their first loss at home this year while the nationally-ranked Saints (14-4, 6-0 WHAC) keep the top spot in the conference.

In the first set, Defiance found a spark near the end of the set to erase a six-point deficit by winning 6 of 7 rallies. DC also had a set point opportunity at 24-23 but Aquinas got three straight kills from Cece Pelak to earn the opening set win.

DC's strong close to the first set carried over into the second set, earning the team a 25-18 win. Behind four kills by Gabby Rodriguez in the set, Defiance also made the attack windows narrow for Aquinas and forced the Saints into 11 errors in the set.

The third and fourth sets were very competitive as well with Aquinas outlasting the Jackets late. The teams were tied 17-17 in the third and DC was within one at 20-19 before Aquinas pulled away. The fourth was similar with an 18-18 tie ahead of the strong closeout by the Saints.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Chaney Brodbeck led the attack with 12 kills and was one of three players with double-digit digs.
• Gabby Rodriguez was another two-way standout for DC with eight kills and 13 digs.
• Kylie Yoder led the defense with 14 digs.
• On the blocking front, Jaelyn Tomoletz earned eight blocks, all on assists to match a season high.
• Addison Martinez continued to give the Jackets a boost as a serve specialist, converting 13 of 14 serves and notched four aces in the match.

UP NEXT
The Yellow Jackets are back on their home court Saturday afternoon and host another conference front-runner in Cornerstone. First serve against the Golden Eagles is scheduled for 2 p.m.

-JACKETS-