Volleyball team splits two non-conference matches at Franklin

FRANKLIN, Ind. – The Olivet College volleyball team split two non-conference matches tonight inside the Spurlock Center at Franklin (Ind.) College. The Comets fell to the host Grizzlies in five set and then defeated Earlham (Ind.) College in four sets.

Olivet won the opening set against Franklin, 25-22. The Grizzlies answered back by winning the next two sets 25-21 and 26-24. The Comets forced a deciding set with a 25-19 win in the fourth set. Franklin claimed the win with a 15-12 fifth set victory.

Three Olivet players reached double figures in kills. Junior Emma Brann (Ann Arbor/Pioneer) led the way with 14, followed by senior Tina Westendorp (Nashville/Maple Valley) and freshman Cassie Brown (Lansing/Lansing Catholic) with 13 and 10, respectively. Freshman Danielle Bearden (Goodrich) dished out 38 assists. Westendorp also recorded a team-leading 38 digs.

Earlham won the first set, 25-22. Olivet then won three straight sets, 25-17, 25-17 and 26-24, for the come-from-behind win.

Brown pounded down a team-high 12 kills. Bearden added 26 more assists. Westendorp finished with a team-high 17 digs.

The Comets will resume Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) play Friday night when they host Kalamazoo College inside The Cutler Event Center at 7 p.m.