Defiance dominates day two, sweeps Saturday double header

FORT WAYNE, Ind. - Defiance College swarmed both the Brescia Bearcats and the Fisk Bulldogs on day two of the Onset Invitational. The Yellow Jackets began their day with a 3-1 win and completed it with a victory in straight sets to finish even on the weekend. 

Game 1: Defiance 3, Brescia 1

(25-20, 25-15, 19-25, 25-21)

Defiance started hot, hitting .423 in the opening frame behind junior outside hitters Chaney Brodbeck and Shelby Clements. The Yellow Jackets rolled to 15 kills in the set, using a balanced attack to pull away late for a 25–20 win.

DC tightened the screws from the service line and at the net. Brodbeck's pressure – four aces in the match – and a wave of block touches slowed Brescia as the Yellow Jackets doubled the lead behind a .208 attack and clean siding out.

The third set was the most competitive of the match. Despite six kills from Brodbeck, Defiance couldn't overcome eight hitting errors, and Brescia's efficient .310 attack proved decisive in a 25–19 win.

Defiance rallied in the fourth, led by junior outside hitter Gabby Rodriguez and senior middle hitter Jaelyn Tomoletz, who combined for 11 kills. Clements anchored the defense with eight digs, but Brescia's offense once again found rhythm late. The Purple and Gold were able to still stay ahead and seal the match for a 3-1 victory and its first of the 2025 season. 

Game 2: Defiance 3, Fisk 0

(25-20, 25-18, 25-10) 

The Jackets carried momentum into the nightcap, hitting .351 with Rodriguez and Brodbeck trading side-out kills while sophomore setter Haleuy Hammer distributed (20 assists in the match).

Defiance put together its sharpest frame of the day, swinging .484. Tomoletz and sophomore middle hitter Taylor Craft were ultra-efficient, and Brodbeck added bite from the line as the lead stretched to two sets.

The sweep was emphatic: Defiance limited Fisk to eight kills and hit .321. Craft dominated the net with eight block assists, while Clements and Rodriguez steadied the back row to close it out.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Chaney Brodbeck led the Yellow Jackets with 25 kills, 7 aces and 18 digs across the two matches, totaling 34.5 points.

• Gabby Rodriguez tallied 24 kills (.321 hitting), 18 digs and 10 block assists, contributing 29.0 points on the day.

• Shelby Clements was highly efficient, posting 17 kills (.370) while adding 16 digs over both matches.

• Taylor Craft anchored the front line with 11 kills (.306) and a team-high 12 block assists.

• Jaelyn Tomoletz chipped in 12 kills (.480) and 7 block assists, showcasing strong play in the middle.

• As a team, Defiance combined for 92 kills, 40 block assists and 14 service aces, while hitting .310 over the two victories.

• Freshman outside hitter got her first collegiate action against Brescia. 

UP NEXT

The Yellow Jackets will compete in another two-day, double header competition, which begins on Friday with Indiana South Bend and Marian. The matches will be played at the Student Activities Center in South Bend, Ind. and will begin at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., respectively. 

-JACKETS-