Sweep over UM-Dearborn locks in 15th win

DEFIANCE, Ohio - The Defiance Yellow Jackets made quick work of the Michigan-Dearborn Wolverines with a 3-0 sweep (25-14, 25-15, 24-14) at the Karl H. Weaner Center on Wednesday night.

With the win, the Yellow Jackets (15-15, 8-10 WHAC) pulled back to .500 overall and at home (4-4) with two regular-season matches to go. 

The Wolverines (3-21-1, 1-15-1 WHAC) held an early 9-8 before Defiance got hot in the first set. DC let up just one point while they flipped the script to take a commanding 16-10 lead that forced a Wolverine timeout. Gabby Rodriguez paced the offense in the opening set with four kills while Defiance committed just six total errors between attacking, serve receive and blocking. 

Defiance hitting got stronger as the game went on and tacked on 11 kills in the second and 12 more in the third to take the match. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• The Yellow Jackets swept the season series against Michigan-Dearborn, making the Wolverines the third WHAC team beaten twice by DC this year.
• The Wolverines' 35 total points were the fewest allowed by Defiance in a conference game this year, and it was the fifth match closing out a team before they can score 40 points.
• DC's 3-0 victory was the second home sweep of the season and first since the home opener against UNOH.
• Gabby Rodriguez turned in her 12th match in double figures in kills with a team-high 11. She also had an assist, one ace, seven digs and six total blocks in a strong all-around showing.
• Defiance had a healthy dose of blocks at the net that amplified 23 Wolverine attacking errors. With 10 total blocks, it was theb team's ninth game in double digits. Jaelyn Tomoletz was part of seven block assists to lead that department.
• Haley Hammer dished out 27 assists, good for nine per set in the match.
• Addison Martinez landed two aces to match Hammer, Chaney Brodbeck and Kylie Yoder for the team lead.
• Miley Harris, Kate Suter and Kirsten Vanisacker all got worked into the contest. Harris landed a kill in the second set while Vanisacker earned an assist on the match-clinching kill by Rodriguez.

UP NEXT
The Yellow Jackets return to the court at home against the Madonna Crusaders. First serve at the Karl H. Weaner Center is scheduled for 7 p.m.

-JACKETS-