Volleyball team splits first two matches of the 2005 season at Elmhurst College Invitational

The Olivet College volleyball team split its first two matches of the 2005 season tonight at the Elmhurst (Ill.) College Invitational. In their first match, the Comets defeated Blackburn (Ill.) College 30-15, 30-21 and 30-25. In the second match, Olivet dropped a grueling five-set match to Dubuque (Iowa) College 30-32, 30-23, 22-30, 30-27, 15-6.

Against Blackburn, senior Katie Schaum (Marshall) led Olivet with a 17 kills. Freshman Theresa Martin (Charlevoix) had nine kills and a .400 hitting percentage. Freshman Mackenzie Heator (Union City) recorded seven kills and three blocks. As a team, the Comets collected 39 kills.

Sophomore Meghan Smith (Rochester Hills/Adams) tallied a team-high 16 digs. Sophomore Jessica Petkus (Milford) topped the team with 35 set assists.

Against Dubuque, Schaum and Martin recorded double digit kills with 27 and 14, respectively. Petkus added 55 set assists while Smith led the defense with 13 digs. Schaum and junior Julia Longman (Scotts/Climax-Scotts) had 11 digs apiece.

Olivet will play two matches tomorrow beginning at 10 a.m.