UOlivet toppled by Defiance in three sets

DEFIANCE, Ohio – The University of Olivet men's volleyball team lost to Defiance (Ohio) College in three close sets tonight at the Karl H. Weaner Center.

THE BASICS

• Final Score: Defiance defeated Olivet 26-24, 25-22, 25-23
• Location: Karl H. Weaner Center; Defiance, Ohio
• Records: Olivet 1-3 overall, Defiance 1-0 overall

HOW IT HAPPENED

• In the first set, the Yellowjackets scored the first two points. Olivet used a kill and service ace to even the score. Defiance then took advantage of three Comet errors to pull ahead, 5-2. Olivet closed the gap to a point before the Yellowjackets extended their lead to as many as five points on five occasions. After the fifth time at 21-16, the Comets went on a 6-1 run to even the score at 22-22. The teams traded points to create two more tied scores at 23-23 and 24-24. Defiance scored the final two points to win the set 26-24.
• In the second set, Olivet strung together a 5-0 spurt to turn an 8-5 deficit into a 9-8 lead. Defiance came back to level the score at 9-9 and 11-11 before the Comets used a 5-2 run to take their largest lead of the set, 16-13. The Yellowjackets battled back and eventually seized a four-point cushion, 23-19. Olivet trimmed their deficit twice before Defiance scored the last point for a 25-22 win.
• Early in the third set, the Comets led by three points. The Yellowjackets came back to gain a three-point advantage, 13-10. Olivet fought back to regain a two-point advantage, 17-15. The teams exchanged points for several lead changes and six tied scores. With the score knotted at 23-23, Defiance used a Comet service error to get to set point and then an ace to close out the set and match.

FOR THE COMETS

• Olivet finished the match with 29 kills compared to 33 for the Yellowjackets.
• Sophomore Silas Martin topped the Comets with 13 kills and .310 attack percentage.
• Freshman Hayden Olson added five kills.
• Freshmen Jared Carter and Austin Chamblee each collected 13 set assists.
• Senior libero Matthew Tollar had nine digs.
• Freshman Micah Stine recorded four assisted blocks, while Olson tallied three total blocks (one solo and two assisted).

UP NEXT

• Olivet hosts Aquinas College for its home-opener next Monday, January 26. The first serve from inside the Cutler Event Center is scheduled for 7 p.m.