Volleyball team loses in five sets to Adrian

OLIVET, Mich. – The Olivet College volleyball team opened Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) play with a tough five-set loss (24-26, 19-25, 25-8, 25-21, 15-12) to Adrian College tonight at The Cutler Event Center in Olivet.

The Comets never trailed in the first set and led by as many as four points, 13-9. The Bulldogs rallied to tie the set at 13-13 before Olivet scored eight of the next 12 points to take a 21-17 lead. Once again, Adrian fought back and tied it at 21-21.

Adrian led the second set by five points, 13-8, before the Comets came back to take a 14-13 lead. They did not relinquish it for the rest of the set and won it 25-19. The Bulldogs had the lead in the third set from start to finish, winning it 25-8. Olivet led in the early stages of the fourth set before Adrian took a 14-13 lead and went on to win it 25-21.

The Bulldogs had a 6-1 lead in the fifth set but the Comets scored five straight points to tie it, 6-6. Adrian got the lead back but Olivet mounted a rally to tie the set, 11-11. The Bulldogs put four of the final points on the scoreboard to win the set, 15-12.

The Comets had three hitters reach double figures in kills. Senior Jordy Bergeron (Muskegon/Mona Shores) had a team-leading 13, followed by freshman Emma Brann (Ann Arbor/Pioneer) and Kristen Sharpley (Marshall) with 11 apiece. Sophomore Cassie McDonald (Battle Creek/Pennfield) dished out 36 set assists. Freshman Megan VanderVlucht (McBain) posted a team-high 23 digs. She and Bergeron each recorded four service aces.

The Comets will travel to play Albion College Friday evening at 6:30 p.m. and host Saint Mary's (Ind.) College Saturday night at 6 p.m.