Chargers win at home 3-1; face semifinals
Tim Sayers
Issue date: 11/8/07 Section: Sports
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The Chargers came out strong dominating the first game, winning by over 10 points. Hillsdale continued their control of the match with a victory in game two. The Cardinals, holding strong, picked up their level of play and won the third game. In a back-and-forth game four, Hillsdale was able to string together several points at the end, putting the game out of reach for the Cardinals and sealing the match for the Chargers 3-1.
"Overall, I'd probably give our play a C or a C+," head coach Chris Gravel said. "When we started, we were able to execute our game plan, and we were doing everything we were supposed to. But we got lulled to sleep a little and got stuck. Our key tonight was serving and passing. And when we could set, we only had one position to hit from, and they were able to defend us. But we picked it up."
With victory over the Cardinals, Hillsdale moves on to the conference semi-finals Saturday at host-school Grand Valley State University. The Chargers will play rival Ashland University.
Last year, the Chargers swept the regular season series against Ashland before they defeated Hillsdale in the semifinals of both the conference and regional tournament. This season, the Chargers swept the regular season series again and are looking for revenge after last season's postseason losses.
"I think we have a sense of urgency," Gravel said. "As a coach, that makes me excited because we'll probably practice with a purpose. Our hope is to leave the court with a good feeling."
The conference tournament game is Sunday at 4 p.m.
Gravel said the upcoming tournament is another step towards their team goal.
"The division title is the first thing you play for," Gravel said. "First you play for the division title, then the conference title, then the regional title and then the national title."
On Saturday, the Chargers made quick work of Ashland, defeating them in three straight games and claiming the GLIAC South Division regular season title for the second year in a row. Both teams came in tied for the lead in the division with conference records of 14-2.
Hillsdale was the only team this season to sweep the Ashland in 3-0 matches twice.
The Chargers' second straight division title was a team effort.
As a team, Hillsdale had seven service aces and 12 total blocks, compared to Ashland's three blocks.
"Everything came together against Ashland," senior Jen Pilot said. "It was pure synergy. We were dead on. It was magic. Our defense was great, we hustled well, and we were blocking good."
"It was how a division title game should be," Gravel said. "The two best teams playing on the last weekend of the regular season with the best team winning."
The win over Ashland moved the Chargers' record to 24-6 overall and 15-2 GLIAC, and secured the top spot in GLIAC South Division and a second overall seat entering the conference tournament Wednesday.
Friday night, before facing off against Ashland, Hillsdale took on the University of Findlay Oilers in Findlay, Ohio.
The match was close and hotly contested throughout, but the Chargers outlasted the Oilers, defeating them 3-1.
The team said they may have been looking ahead towards the match against Ashland and somewhat overlooking Findlay.
"Everyone was a little under motivated and playing kind of unenergetic," Pilot said. "There was some messy play, but we were able to pull it out in the end."
"Findlay has a very good offense, and they were able to put things together," Gravel said. "But, when they were able to get the ball to their setter, we were able to play great defense against them."
Hillsdale College Collegian, 2007
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