Defiance Loses Twice on Final Day of OAC/HCAC Challenge

NEW CONCORD, OHIO  --  The Defiance College volleyball team lost both of its matches on the final day of the OAC/HCAC Challenge hosted by Muskingum University in New Concord.

Defiance (4-13) began the day with a match against Baldwin Wallace University, but lost to the Yellow Jackets, 3-0 (25-22, 25-15 and 25-12).  DC was led offensively by sophomore Meredith Shank (Maumee/Springfield) with nine kills.  Freshman Marissa Windau (Castalia/Margaretta) was second with six kills.  Junior Ari Mahaffey (Porter, Ind./Chesterton) had 20 assists and also recorded the team's only service ace.  

On defense, senior Rebecca Kain (Orland, Ind./Prairie Heights) led the way with 15 digs.  Mahaffey and junior Dia Jackson (Detroit, Mich./Canton) were second with 11 kills each.

In the final match of the two-day event, the Yellow Jackets took on Ohio Northern University, but were defeated by the Polar Bears, 3-1, by the scores of 20-25, 17-25, 25-22 and 18-25.  Offensively, DC was led by the duo of Shank and Windau with 17 and 11 kills respectively.  Junior Hope Neargarder (Union City/Mississinawa Valley) was third with nine kills.  Mahaffey tallied a team-best 27 assists and Shank had a team-high two aces.

Kain was one of five players to post 10 or more digs defensively with a team-high 26 digs.  Mahaffey and sophomore Jaidyn Patridge (Toledo/Springfield) were tied for second with 14 digs and Jackson had 13 digs.  Rounding out the leaders was junior Makayla Dennis (Bryan) with 10 digs.

DC will face the same ONU team in a non-conference match on Tuesday, Sept. 29 in the home opener at the Karl H. Weaner Center.  The match is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.