Volleyball team splits two matches at Kalamazoo Green Hornet Invitational

KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- The Olivet College volleyball team split two matches tonight at the Kalamazoo College Green Hornet Invitational. The Comets opened play with a thrilling five-set win over Franklin (Ind.) College and then lost in three sets to Anderson (Ind.) University.

Against Franklin, Olivet won the first set 25-20 before the Grizzlies took the next two sets by identical 25-23 scores. The Comets tied the match with a 25-16 win in set four, and won the match with a 15-8 victory in the deciding set. Three players recorded double digit kills, led by 15 from sophomore Tori King (Ash Grove, Mo.). Junior Jordy Bergeron (Muskegon/Mona Shores) and sophomore Sam Gibson (Battle Creek/Harper Creek) had 13 and 12, respectively. Sophomore Cassie McDonald (Battle Creek/Pennfield) topped the team with 33 set assists. Senior Morgan Iloncaie (Port Huron/Imlay City) had a team-leading 19 digs, and junior Mallory Schug (Climax/Galesburg Augusta) also had double digit digs with 12.

Anderson swept the match 25-23, 25-12 and 25-23. Gibson led the front row with seven kills, while King and sophomore Melanie Merchant (St. Joseph) had six apiece. McDonald recorded 17 assists, and Iloncaie posted a team-high 17 digs.

Olivet will play two more matches at Kalamazoo tomorrow against Baldwin-Wallace (Ohio) College at noon, followed by a match against the host Hornets.