KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The Kalamazoo College volleyball team lost its home opener in five sets to Defiance College Thursday night in front of an energetic crowd inside Anderson Athletic Center.
Defiance won the first set 25-17. Kalamazoo rebounded and won the next two sets 25-11 and 25-23. The visiting Yellow Jackets won set four 25-22 before winning the final set 15-13. There were 10 ties and five lead changes in the fourth set. Five ties and two lead changes in the final set.
Kalamazoo hit .132 in the match compared to .138 by Defiance. Defiance held a 9-4 advantage in aces, while Kalamazoo had seven team blocks to Defiance's five.
Halley Johnson led Kalamazoo with 11 kills and 16 digs. Brittany Miller had nine kills, Hannah VanderLugt eight and Charlotte Ruiter seven. Ruiter was also involved in five blocks.
Jana Molby led the Hornets with 22 assists. Sara Reathaford had 19.
Morgan Shearer had a team-high 18 digs. Lizzy Rachiele finished with 11.
Kalamazoo is back in action at home on Saturday, Sept. 24, when the Hornets face Hope College at 1 p.m.