Story by Mitch Blankespoor
KALAMAZOO, Mich. – After winning the Green Hornet Invitation last weekend, the Kalamazoo College volleyball team opened up Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) play with a match against the Belles of Saint Mary's College. The Hornets lost the first two sets, but battled back to win the thrilling five-set match 24-26, 10-25, 26-24, 26-24, 19-17.
Kalamazoo fell behind early in the first set, but a service run from freshman libero Logan Horejsi gave the Hornets a 10-9 lead. After trading side outs for most of the set, the two MIAA foes found themselves tied at 20. Two kills from junior middle hitter Kelsey Hill spurred a 4-0 run that saw Kalamazoo come within one point of winning the set, leading 24-20.
The Belles' response was loud and clear. Two consecutive service aces from junior defensive specialist Samantha Grady gave Saint Mary's its first set point. An attack error from K would send the match into set two.
Saint Mary's dominated the second set. The Belles won the first eight points using the serve of sophomore outside hitter Katie Hecklinski. Kalamazoo would get within seven points at 15-8, but could get no closer.
The Hornets recorded just two kills in set two while Saint Mary's earned kills on 13 attack attempts.
"After set two, we decided to switch up our rotation," Kalamazoo Head Coach Jeanne Hess said. "We also began to serve strategically."
Junior defensive specialist Morgan Clothier and sophomore middle hitter Olivia Cares entered into K's rotation in the third set. Despite the changes, Kalamazoo found itself three points away from losing the match on its home floor. A service ace from Hecklinski and a kill from outside hitter Kati Schneider gave the Belles a 22-20 lead. Kills from Kalamazoo senior middle hitter Quinn McCormick and sophomore outside hitter Nya Greenstone tied the set at 22 apiece. An attack error from the Belles and kill from Hill gave Kalamazoo the third set victory.
The Hornets hit a blistering .444 clip in the third set – 19 kills compared to just three errors.
Using the momentum from the third set victory, K jumped out to a 17-12 lead in set four. Another service run from Hecklinski slimmed the Hornet lead to two points. A clutch kill from McCormick gave K two set points. Once again, the Belles fought them off. Kills from junior outside hitter Brooke Fowler and Schneider tied the set at 24. Just as set three finished, a kill from Hill propelled the Hornets to a fifth set.
A service run from Horejsi gave K an early 4-1 advantage in the decisive fifth set. The Hornets continued to add to their lead with a kill from freshman outside hitter Kaela Van Til.
Once again, Saint Mary's had an answer. Hecklinksi, whose serve troubled the Kalamazoo back row all match, served three points to give the Belles a 13-12 advantage. After a timeout from Hess, two consecutive kills from Greenstone gave K its first match point.
Saint Mary's fought off the first match point, and the second, and the third, and the fourth. With the score 18-17 in favor of the Hornets, a cross-court attack attempt from Greenstone clipped the line. The Hornets had completed the comeback.
"This win was a true team effort," Hess said. "I give a ton of credit to the defense of Saint Mary's. Their passing and back row play was phenomenal. It really frustrated our offense to not see the ball hit the floor."
The Belle defense Hess spoke of forced Kalamazoo into 29 attack errors. Greenstone led the way with 20 of the 60 Hornet kills. Van Til chipped in 12. McCormick hit a .333 clip, slamming 11 kills on 21 attack attempts and four errors. The Kalamazoo native also had four blocks.
"Quinn [McCormick] had several monster kills," said Hess. "She fired this team up throughout the entire match. Nya [Greenstone] and Kaela [Van Til] were go-to on the left side."
Perhaps the most valuable player for the Hornets was Horejsi. The freshman recorded a career-high 34 digs and eight assists in the marathon match.
"Logan [Horejsi] made the ball come to her," said Hess. "She frustrated the Belle offense tonight."
Schneider recorded a match-high 21 kills. Junior Melanie Kuczek put down 15 kills on 29 attempted and three errors for the Belles. Freshman setter Clare McMillan dished out 52 assists.
Kalamazoo improves its record to 5-0 (1-0 MIAA) on the season. The Hornets begin a month-long road trip Friday, Sept. 6 when they travel to Adrian for a 7:00 p.m. match with the Bulldogs.