Volleyball team sweeps Alma 25-21, 25-22, 25-20

OLIVET, Mich. – The Olivet College volleyball team used a balanced attack at the front row to sweep Alma College in three sets (25-21, 25-22, 25-20) this evening at The Cutler Event Center in Olivet. With the win, the Comets have a 14-8 overall record and secure a .500 record for the first time since the 1982 season.

Olivet posted a .200 attack percentage, recording 38 kills with 16 errors on 110 attempts. The Scots hit at a .097 clip, posting 34 kills with 23 errors on 113 attempts. Senior Marissa Guile led the way for the Comets with a match-best 12 kills to go along with three blocks.

Sophomore Allison Turner and junior Re'Gene Thompson each slammed down 10 kills. Thompson had a team-best .409 attacking percentage, as she had only one error on 22 attempts. Junior Danielle Bearden dished out 35 set assists, while serving up four aces. Junior Mona Hinamanu led all players with 19 digs.

After the Scots scored the first point of the opening set, Olivet put the next seven points on the scoreboard. The Comets continued to lead and built it to as many as nine points, 21-12. A late surge by Alma closed its deficit to three points, 24-21, before a Guile kill ended the set.

The Scots held a 13-11 lead in the second set until two errors made the score 13-13. The teams exchanged points to tie the set four more times, with the last time being 18-18. Back-to-back Alma attack errors handed the lead to Olivet, 20-18. The Scots came within a point twice 20-19 and 21-20 before a Guile kill and a double block by Guile and sophomore Courtney Cronkright pushed the Comets' lead to three points, 23-20. Olivet did not give up the lead, as a kill for Thompson was the set point.

Alma started the third set with a 6-3 advantage. Five consecutive Comet points made the score 8-6. Olivet had another two-point lead, 11-9. The Scots then reeled off eight straight points to go up 17-11. The Comets responded by scoring seven of the next eight points to knot the score at 18-18. A kill by Cronkright and a double block by Guile and freshman Megan Black gave the lead back to Olivet, which it did not relinquish for the rest of the set. An ace by senior Dallas James wrapped-up the set and match.

The Comets are now idle until next Tuesday, Oct. 20, when they host Calvin College at 6:30 p.m.

NOTES: With the win, Olivet wins both regular-season matches against Alma for the first time since the 1979 season. In addition, the Comets beat Alma in three sets for the first time Sept. 22, 1987. The 1982 team had a 22-14 overall record; however, six of its wins were against two-year schools.