DC's comeback bid falls short at Siena Heights

ADRIAN, Mich. - Attempting to come back from down 2-0, the Defiance Yellow Jackets extended their match against the Siena Heights Saints to four sets before falling 3-1 (18-25, 22-25, 25-22, 21-25) at the Siena Heights Fieldhouse on Friday afternoon.

The first set was the only segment of the match decided by more than four points. The Saints flipped a 6-5 Defiance lead into an 18-9 lead by winning 13 of 16 volleys, including a five-point streak. Siena Heights put DC's backs against the wall by taking the second set as well. They took a 14-6 lead before the Jackets found their groove and evened the score at 15-15. The final half of the set was a game of runs with DC and Siena Heights exchanging three-point streaks until the Saints closed out a 25-22 win.

The Yellow Jackets carried that momentum into a crucial third set, leading 10-4. After the Saints surged back to take a 15-13 lead, Defiance responded by winning the race to 25 with the help of two crucial spikes by Lauryn O'Lenic. Defiance featured a strong start to the fourth set as well, jumping ahead 6-3. However, Siena Heights scored six points in a row to regain control. DC then had a long rally to regain a 14-12 lead. The lead volleyed back and forth until it stood 20-20 and Siena Heights posted points on 5 of 6 to take the match.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• As a team, the Jackets had a more efficient attacking game than Siena Heights by hitting .206 compared to .190 and committing five fewer attack errors.
• Defiance was hurt by 13 reception errors in the service game.
• Siena Heights made just three attack errors during the first set but landed 16 kills in each of the first two sets to build their lead.
• Chaney Brodbeck had a season-high 17 kills for Defiance. Gabby Rodriguez followed close behind with 12, highlighted by six during the winning third set.
• Lauryn O'Lenic was a key factor for Defiance as well with seven kills, starting with three in the second set.
• Haley Hammer led the team in assists (25) and digs (18). Her 18 digs were a season-best.
• Defiance blocked 14 attacks with five involving to Jaelyn Tomoletz.

UP NEXT
The Yellow Jackets are off on Saturday and travel to UNOH on Wednesday for a 7 p.m. contest at The Garage.

-JACKETS-