Volleyball team falls to No. 4 Hope in four sets

HOLLAND, Mich. -- The Olivet College volleyball team fell to defending Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) champion Hope College tonight in four sets (25-10, 25-11, 17-25, 25-9) at the DeVos Fieldhouse in Holland. The Flying Dutch entered the match ranked No. 4 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association Top 25 poll.

Sophomore Sam Gibson (Battle Creek/Harper Creek) led the Comets with nine kills and .158 attacking percentage. Sophomore Tori King (Ash Grove, Mo.) recorded five kills. Senior Jenessa Hicks (Union City) tallied a team-leading 12 set assists. Junior Mallory Schug (Climax/Galesburg Augusta) topped the team with 20 digs.

"We worked really hard tonight and got a win in the third set," said Head Coach Lynnette Moster. "There was a little bit of an intimidation factor in the beginning but we did a great job adjusting in the third set. We now know what we have to improve on when we play them the next time. We are all looking forward to playing at home for the first time tomorrow."

The Comets (4-3, 1-1 MIAA) will rest tonight and be right back in action tomorrow when they host Saint Mary's (Ind.) College in their home-opener. Match time at The Cutler Event Center is 1 p.m.