Volleyball team rallies to beat Albion in four sets

OLIVET, Mich. – The Olivet College volleyball team rallied to beat Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) rival Albion College in four sets today at The Cutler Event Center in Olivet. After losing the first set, 25-23, the Comets won the next three sets 25-17, 26-24 and 26-24.

In set one, neither team led by more than two points until Olivet pulled away for a 15-12 lead. The Britons battled back to tie it at 16-16 and 17-17. The teams traded a series of runs to make the score 23-23. Albion scored the last two points to win it 25-23.

The Comets led the second set from start-to-finish. The Britons' only lead in the third set was 1-0. They did force five tied scores, including the last time at 24-24. Olivet put the set away with two consecutive points.

Twice in the fourth set, Albion had four-point leads, 11-7 and 21-17. The Comets answered with four straight points to make the score 21-21. The Britons' last lead was 23-22, as Olivet reeled off a 4-1 run to win the set and earn the match victory.

Freshman Emma Brann (Ann Arbor/Pioneer) and sophomore Tina Westendorp (Nashville/Maple Valley) shared team-high honors with 12 kills apiece. Brann also had five blocks, including four solo. Junior Kristen Sharpley (Marshall) recorded seven kills.

Freshman Taylor Pringle (Haslett) dished out 27 set assists. Sophomore Kaitlyn Salhaney (Caledonia/East Kentwood) finished a career, single-match high 26 digs. Westendorp and freshman Mackenzie Inman (Union City) also reached double figures in digs with 16 and 14, respectively.

Olivet will travel to play Saint Mary's (Ind.) College next Wednesday at 7 p.m.