KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The Kalamazoo College volleyball team fought off two match points in a come-from-behind five set victory over Olivet College. Kalamazoo won the match by scores of 25-16, 22-25, 18-25, 25-22, 16-14.
"We knew Olivet was going to be a challenge since we went five sets in the first matchup this year," Kalamazoo Head Coach Jeanne Hess said. "I was proud of our team after a tough loss last night [to Alma]. This was simply a fun game to watch."
Kalamazoo won the first point of the match on a kill from sophomore outside hitter Nya Greenstone. Greenstone then stepped to the service line and promptly served the next eight points for the Hornets. Up 9-0, K coasted to a first set victory.
In set two, neither team led by more than two points until Mona Hinamanu stepped up to the service line with the score 15-13. The defensive specialist served four points for the Comets. Kalamazoo would tie the set at 20-20, but consecutive kills by Stephanie Lang and a Hornet attack error sealed the second set for Olivet.
Olivet would carry the momentum from the set two win into set three. The Comets jumped ahead early and never looked back.
The Hornets counterpunched with a set four victory setting up a fifth and final set. Emma Brann put Kalamazoo behind 11-6, but the Hornet block came alive. The Kalamazoo block forced four Olivet attack errors earning blocks on two of them.
After a timeout from Olivet, the Comets earned themselves two match points on another kill from Lang. Junior middle hitter Kelsey Hill ran the slide to perfection putting the ball down and fighting off one match point.
Another timeout was called by Olivet Head Coach Megan Merchant. This one, however, did not pay off. Kalamazoo freshman outside hitter Kaela Van Til served out the final three points. A Greenstone kill gave K the victory.
"The key to this match was our back row and defense," Hess said. "We came up with some big blocks. Anytime you have 80 digs between the two matches you are getting your money's worth."
Junior setter Alex Gothard dished out a season-high 53 assists while hitting a .412 clip and digging up nine Olivet attack attempts. Greenstone finished the day with 21 a game-high 21 kills.
"Alex Gothard showed up ready to play," said Hess. "She had one of her best statistical games across the board."
As a team, Kalamazoo hit a .235 clip while holding Olivet to .191. The story of the match perhaps, was the blocking. K recorded a season-high 13.5 blocks as a team. Hill, Van Til, and sophomore middle hitter Olivia Cares each totaled six blocks assists.
Defensively, Van Til led K with 21 of the team's 75 digs. Freshman Logan Horejsi added 20 digs.
Olivet was led in defeat by Brann and Lang with 20 and 14 kills respectively.
With its win, Kalamazoo remains in sole possession of third place in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA). The Hornets have Trine and Hope remaining at home and finish the regular season on the road at Calvin.