Volleyball team defeats Saint Mary’s in four sets

The Olivet College volleyball team defeated Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) rival Saint Mary's (Ind.) College in four sets tonight at The Cutler Event Center in Olivet.

After the Comets won the first set, 25-21, the Belles took the second set, 25-20. Olivet won the third set, 25-17. The Comets led the fourth set, 22-16, but the Belles came back to tie it at 23-23. An attack error put Olivet ahead 24-23, and a cross-court kill by freshman Melanie Merchant (St. Joseph) provided the winning point for the Comets.

For the match, Olivet had a .242 hitting percentage with 52 kills, 16 errors and 149 attacks. Freshman Sam Gibson (Battle Creek/Harper Creek) had a season-high 13 kills with zero attack errors on 26 attempts for a .500 hitting percentage. Merchant finished with 12 kills, while senior Krystal Barkley (Flushing) had 10 and a .474 attacking percentage.

At the service line, Merchant recorded four of the Comet six aces. Junior Jenessa Hicks (Union City) dished out 26 set assists. Sophomore Mallory Schug (Climax/Galesburg-Augusta) led four Olivet players in double figures with 15 digs. Junior Megan McCarty (Battle Creek/Harper Creek) was next with 14, followed by freshman Chelsea Guzikowski (Reed City) and Hicks with 13 and 11, respectively.

Tomorrow, the Comets travel to play Albion College. First serve inside Kresge Gymnasium is noon.