Lady Jackets volleyball falls 3-1 in home-opener to UNOH

DEFIANCE, Ohio – The Defiance volleyball team got off to a hot start in its matchup with the University of Northwestern Ohio Racers on Tuesday, September 4. The Jackets grabbed the first set 25-20, but fell in the next three 25-22, 25-22 and 25-23. DC falls to 3-2 on the season, while the Racers improve to 6-1.

With the crowd rolling in at the Weaner Center, the Yellow Jackets jumped ahead earlier by scores of 11-6 and then 15-8, which was their biggest lead of match. The run was led by solid serving from senior Lexy Pierce, followed by a pair of kills from freshman Kelsey Tietje and a few UNOH attacking errors. The Racers battled back to 17-14, but DC kept up the pace and took the first set 25-21.

However, from then on it was a back-and-fourth battle for every set that the Racers just seemed to have the last push in the end. The Purple and Gold grabbed a slight lead early on in each of the next three sets, but the Racers continued to comeback and gain the advantage. This forced the Jackets to have to play catch-up for the rest of the match.

Each set was close to the finish, but DC just came up short. It was only 23-22 in the second set, 22-21 in the third and 24-23 in the fourth set, before falling in each.

Seniors Chelsea Ludeman and Pierce led the team on the night with nine kills each, while Ludeman added five total blocks. Tietje was also solid in her home debut by chipping in seven kills on a strong .500 attack percentage to go along with a pair of blocks. Junior Alicia Kalik rang up 37 assists and sophomore Rebecca Kain added 14 digs as well.

The Purple and Gold volleyball team will return to action on the road Saturday, September 7 when it plays a pair of matches against the Ohio Wesleyan Battling Bishops and the Muskingum Muskies on the first day of the Rose-Hulman Tournament. The first matchup against the Bishops will begin at 4 pm.