Tyler Horning/Collegian
Senior Karin Poschke sets to the outside as sophomore Taryn Rudland, L, fakes. Senior Erin Bartee, R, watches the offense and covers the outside hitter.
Tyler Horning/Collegian
Junior Sumer Way gets low to dig the ball against Wayne State.
First mention in AVCA poll for Chargers
Through consistent tournament play and upset victories over quality teams, the Chargers have earned a reputation of excellence. They are living up to that reputation.
In a poll released Monday, the Chargers earned eight votes in the recent American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) top 25 coaches' poll. Among the top 25 in the poll are GLIAC competitors Grand Valley State University, Northwood, Northern Michigan and Findlay. North Alabama, who the Chargers defeated in their first tournament of the season, is ranked No.14. This is the first time any Hillsdale volleyball team has been mentioned in the poll.
Perhaps inspired by the honor, the Chargers defeated their first GLIAC foe, Wayne State University, 3-0 Tuesday. The victory brings them to 7-2 overall, 1-0 GLIAC.
The Chargers made quick work of the Warriors, defeating them 30-23, 30-24 and 30-25.
The close scores reinforced the belief of head coach Chris Gravel that the GLIAC is the toughest Division II conference in the nation.
Sophomore Becky Grzegorski led the team with 12 kills. The Chargers also received strong defensive play from junior Sumer Way and freshman Megan Howard.
The Chargers further triumphed over conference favorite teams at the Wheeling Jesuit tournament this past weekend. They finished 2-0 and went undefeated for the first time in tournament play.
"We've been looking to go undefeated in tournament play," head coach Chris Gravel said. "It was only two matches, but they were two high level matches. I'm proud of the team."
Gravel credits consistency and the ability to adapt to different personnel as key factors in the weekly improvement of his team.
The Chargers defeated Southern Indiana in five games, and outplayed Wheeling Jesuit, the Western Virginia Conference favorite and host, 3-0.
"It feels good to beat the teams slated to do really well," sophomore Katherine Jones said. "Now we know we can do well outside our conference as well as within it. It also shows that we are continually working hard in practice."
The team produced 18 total blocks to Jesuit's eight, and 11 to Southern Indiana's four.
The Chargers continued to see consistent play out of sophomore Taryn Rudland and senior Karin Poschke. Freshman Lindsey Eshelman also stepped up as a key player, recording 23 total kills and 40 defensive digs.
"This puts us in a better position in our region and takes some of the pressure off," Poschke said. "By starting off at 4-0 in our region, things can only get better. We've got a lot to learn still, but we still have time to prepare."
League action continues to heat up for the Chargers as they take on Mercyhurst on Friday and Gannon on Saturday, both at home.
"We've played some good ball so far, but we haven't played our best ball yet," Gravel said. "Everything can only improve as the season goes on. It's exciting."