DC volleyball sends seniors out in style with sweep of Ravens

DEFIANCE, Ohio – In the final regular-season home match of the 2013 season, Defiance's senior class put together a fantastic outing that led to a 3-0 win over Anderson on Wednesday, October 23. DC improved to 19-5 (6-0 Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference), while the Ravens sunk to 7-16 (2-4 HCAC).

The Purple and Gold won the match with set scores of 25-17, 25-16 and 25-14. It was the team's third-straight shutout and ninth of the year. With the victory, the Jackets remain perfect in the month of October at 8-0.

After Anderson took an early 2-1 lead in the first set, Defiance's attack got on a roll that led to a 12-1 run. Senior Chelsea Ludeman (Napoleon, Ohio/Napoleon) paced the spree with three kills on passes from junior Alicia Kalik (South Lyon, Mich./South Lyon).

The Ravens began to chip away at the deficit and came within six points at 18-12, but the Jackets were just too strong at the offensive end and took the first frame 25-17.

In set two, the Purple and Gold again gained a quick 6-1advantage. However, the visitors responded with an 8-3 spurt that tied things up at 9-9.

Fortunately, DC answered right back with 9-3 run that was capped off by back-to-back kills from junior Bree Anderson (Huntertown, Ind./Carroll) and Ludeman making the score 18-12. The Yellow Jackets then closed out the rest of the set to a 25-16 mark.

The final set was much of the same, as Anderson kept close early but Defiance was just too talented to keep up with. The score was knotted up a four, but DC streaks of four and five points pushed the Jacket advantage to 15-7.

Set three then concluded in fantastic fashion for the seniors. Of the Purple and Gold's final five points, Christa Seidenstricker (Plain City, Ohio/Jonathan Alder) rang up three aces and Ludeman sealed the match with an emphatic match-point kill.

Ludeman led the way for the Jackets on the evening with a dominant all-around performance. The outside hitter finished with a team high 12 kills (.524 attack percentage), eight digs, while mixing in three total blocks. Fellow seniors Pierce and Seidenstricker were big on the night, as they added six kills (.417) and five aces, respectively.

"It was really nice to finish the game with all three seniors on the court," said head coach Brie Brenner. "Chelsea (Ludeman) really stepped up tonight, hitting harder than I have ever seen and she was all over the place defensively. Lexy (Pierce) controlled the net and put up some good swings and Christa (Seidenstricker) had a great night serving that scored us a lot of points."

Others DC players chipping in were Anderson with 10 kills (.292), Kalik with 26 assists and freshman Kelsey Tietje (Deshler, Ohio/Patrick Henry) with five total blocks.

As a team, Defiance accounted for nine blocks and kept the Ravens caged in on a .043 attack percentage.

Defiance will go on the road for the remainder of the regular season starting with its trip to Terra Haute, Ind. on Saturday, October 26. The Purple and Gold will compete in a tri-match with Rose-Hulman at 1 p.m., followed by Illinois Wesleyan at 3 p.m.