Volleyball team defeats Tri-State, loses to Alma

The Olivet College volleyball team had a 1-1 record this afternoon in Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) triangular at the Upton Center in Olivet. In their first match, the Lady Comets beat Tri-State (Ind.) University 30-18, 30-27, 27-30, 30-26. In the second match, Olivet fell to MIAA leader Alma College 30-21, 30-27, 30-14.

The win against Tri-State snapped a 33-match losing streak in MIAA play for the Comets. They had last won a MIAA match on Sept. 13, 2002 against Saint Mary's (Ind.) College.

In the match, junior Katie Schaum (Marshall High School) led the Olivet front row attack with 23 kills, followed by freshman Marie Pierce (Climax-Scotts High School) with 16 and freshman Alicia Barton (Jackson High School) with 11. Schaum had a .276 hitting percentage. Freshman Jessica Petkus (Milford High School) was credited with 57 set assists and freshman Meghan Smith (Rochester Adams High School) led the Olivet defense with 22 digs.

Against Alma, Schaum had 10 kills. Barton and Pierce were next with six apiece. Petkus added 26 set assists while Pierce topped the team with 19 digs.

The Comets will travel to play Adrian College Tuesday, Oct. 12, at 7 p.m. Next Friday and Saturday, Oct. 15-16, Olivet participates in the Elmhurst (Ill.) College Invitational.