Volleyball team falls to Kalamazoo in five sets

OLIVET, Mich. -- The Olivet College volleyball team dropped a five-set decision to Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) foe Kalamazoo College tonight inside The Cutler Event Center in Olivet. After Kalamazoo won the first set 25-20, the Comets rallied to win the next two sets 25-21 and 25-16. Kalamazoo then forced a fifth set with a 25-22 victory in the fourth set. After a 4-4 tie in the deciding set, the Hornets scored 11 of the next 13 points to pull out a 15-6 set win and earn the come-from-behind win.

Sophomore Melanie Merchant (St. Joseph) led Olivet's front row attack with 15 kills. Sophomore Sam Gibson (Battle Creek/Harper Creek) joined her in double figures with 11 kills. Junior Jordy Bergeron (Muskegon/Mona Shores), sophomore Tori King (Ash Grove, Mo.) and senior Ellen Schulz (Freeland) each recorded nine kills. Also in the front row, King posted five assisted blocks.

Senior Jenessa Hicks (Union City) collected 49 set assists. In the back row, senior Morgan Iloncaie (Port Huron/Imlay City) had a team-leading 17 digs. Hicks and sophomore Megan McCarty (Battle Creek/Harper Creek) finished with 11 digs apiece. Freshman Kaitlyn Salhaney (Caledonia/East Kentwood) served up five aces to raise her season total to 23.

The Comets (11-12, 6-8 MIAA) will host Alma College Friday night at 6:30 p.m.