Volleyball Splits on Opening Day of the North Park Invitational

CHICAGO, ILL. - The Defiance College volleyball team started off the weekend with a bang defeating Greenville in the North Park Invitational opening round 3-1, before falling to St. Mary's in straight sets on Friday afternoon at the North Park Gym.

Defiance opened the weekend with Greenville jumping ahead early as a kill by freshman Delaney Monnin (Defiance/Tinora) and a service ace by junior Abigail Cronin (Lambertville, Mich./Cardinal Stritch Catholic) put DC on top 6-3 in the opening set. The Yellow Jackets continued to bring the hammer as a kill by senior Marissa Windau (Castalia/Margaretta) capped off a four point rally, 12-6. The Purple and Gold attack capitalized on the momentum as senior Brooke Plummer (Plain City/Jonathan Alder) landed a thunderous kill blowing the set wide open, 18-11. The Yellow Jackets would connect for 15 kills in the set to secure the 25-22 win. 

In set two, Greenville looked to get something going as they surged ahead to a 10-5 lead. However, Defiance battled back as another service ace by Cronin shifted the momentum back in the Yellow Jackets favor. DC would finally take the lead late in the set as a service ace from freshman Brianna Wheeler (Sturgis, Mich.) highlighted a three point rally, 24-22. The Purple and Gold claimed the set on the following play following a Greenville miscue, 25-22.

The two teams battled for much of set three before a kill by junior Jessi Davis (Delta) put DC on top, 23-22. GU held strong scoring the final three points of the set to take set three, 25-23.

The Yellow Jackets remained poise using a balanced attack to rattle off five straight points for the 8-2 advantage. Freshman Jamie DeTro(Angola, Ind./Prairie Heights) led the attack from behind the service line connecting for two straight aces extending the Defiance lead to 15-10. The Purple and Gold never looked back as the front line continued to attack the Greenville defense and secure the set and match victory, 25-13.

Defiance finished the contest with 44 kills and 12 service aces.

In the nightcap, DC found themselves fighting an uphill battle as they fell in straight sets to St. Mary's, 25-21, 25-18, and 25-22.

The Yellow Jackets were led in the match by Davis and freshman Mackenize Benham with a team-high eight kills. As a team, DC recorded 41 kills and eight blocks.

Defiance returns to action on Saturday, Sept. 22 as they take on tournament host North Park at noon, followed by Benedictine (Ill.) at 2:00 pm.