Yellow Jackets open season on Friday with back-to-back matches at Onset Invitational

FORT WAYNE, Ind. - Defiance College women's volleyball opened its 2025 season on Friday with back-to-back matches in the two-day Onset Invitational. The Yellow Jackets put up tough fights against the Rio Grande Red Storm and Spring Arbor Crusaders, but were ultimately defeated in straight sets in the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum. 

Match 1: Defiance 0, Rio Grande 3

(20-25, 14-25, 22-25)

Defiance came out strong, led by junior outside hitter Gabby Rodriguez, who notched several early kills to keep the Yellow Jackets within striking distance. The set featured 12 team kills from DC, its highest total of the match, but Rio Grande's balanced attack and timely serving gave the Red Storm the edge late, pulling away for a 25–20 win.

The second frame proved more difficult for the Purple and Gold. Rio Grande hit a match-best .375 and despite contributions from Rodriguez and junior outside hitter Chaney Brodbeck, the Jackets were limited to a .125 hitting percentage and fell 25–14.

In the final set, Defiance rallied late behind Brodbeck's offense and a pair of crucial service aces that kept the score close. The Jackets collected eight kills in the frame, but the Red Storm was able to seal the 25–22 win and the 3–0 sweep.

Match 2: Defiance 0, Spring Arbor 3

(19-25, 21–25, 20–25) 

The Yellow Jackets came out in game two with energy, hitting .240 behind Brodbeck and sophomore middle hitter Taylor Craft. Defiance kept pace early, trailing just 16–15 midway through the frame, but the Cougars' .357 hitting percentage proved too efficient. Spring Arbor closed strong to take the opener 25–19.

In set No. 2, Defiance fought to even the match, as Brodbeck heated up offensively with several key kills and an ace. Junior setter Amina Chamoun helped distribute the attack with 13 assists on the night, however, the Cougars tallied 17 kills in the set and were able to hold off Defiance's late push for a 25–21 win.

The Jackets looked poised to extend the match in the third, but untimely errors (11 hitting miscues in the frame) slowed their momentum. Brodbeck and Rodriguez kept Defiance within striking distance, while junior outside hitter Shelby Clements and freshman defensive specialist Kylie Yoder steadied the defense with digs. Still, Spring Arbor was able to seal the match 25–20.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• In the season-opening match against Rio Grande, Lauryn O'Lenic, Taylor Craft and Haley Hammer earned their first starts as Yellow Jackets. 

• Gabby Rodriguez notched a team-high 13 kills in match one. She led in total points with 13 and efficiently hit with an overall .222 percentage. Against Spring Arbor, Rodriguez allotted 8.5 points.

• Freshmen Kylie Yoder, Lydia Christenson and Chloe DeBoer each made their collegiate debuts and combined for 1.5 points. 

• Senior middle hitter Jaelyn Tomoletz had an average hitting percentage of .234 to lead the Yellow Jackets on the day. 

• Craft showed out on defense with a team-high five block assists and one solo. 

• Chaney Brodbeck won the day on points overall with 26.5 (10 vs. Rio Grande, 16.5 vs. Spring Arbor). She now averages two more points per set ahead of last season. 

UP NEXT

Defiance College will return to the Onset Invitational court against Brescia and Fisk. The matches are scheduled to begin at 1:15 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., respectively. 

-JACKETS-