Box Score ADRIAN, Mich. – Kate Winter collected a team-high 15 kills Saturday, but Chloe Webber and Alexa Hitchko provided the points when Albion College needed them most as the Britons defeated Adrian College in four sets (15-25, 25-12, 26-24, 25-22) in Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association volleyball action.
Adrian's plan was to force Albion's outside hitters to pass and it kept the Britons out of system most of the match. Albion was able to change the direction of its offense to earn its fourth victory in a row and improve to 11-5 overall and 2-0 against MIAA rivals.
Adrian was serving for the third set, but Alex Tobler's attack missed the sideline drawing the teams even at 24. Albion was out of substitutes, but Webber terminated the next two points as Albion pulled out the set.
Kelsey Gustafson terminated a point and she served an ace as Albion jumped out to a 6-1 lead in the fourth set. Albion led by as many as seven, 9-2, but Adrian rallied to take six points in a row and neither team led by more than three the rest of the way. Adrian was serving, trailing 23-22, but Albion slammed the door as Hitchko was part of the block on the final two points. Hitchko and Jesse Hepner put up the block for the 24th point, and Hitchko and Gustafson were at the net for match point.
Winter had a productive day, hitting .275 and assisting on two blocks.
Gustafson and Shelby Palmer supported Winter with nine kills apiece. Gustafson stuffed the box score with 20 digs, three blocks and a pair of aces.
Hitchko finished with seven blocks.
Setter Grace VanDorn extended her run of double-doubles to five matches with 23 assists and 17 digs.
Libero Jenna Khoury chipped in with 25 digs, six assists and a pair of aces.
Albion returns to Kresge Gymnasium Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. for its senior night match against Olivet College. The Britons will pause to recognize Gustafson and her classmates Brielle Brown and Richelle Hawkins.
For the latest information on the team, follow @AlbionVball on Twitter and Instagram and Albion College Volleyball on Facebook. General athletic news can also be found @gobrits on Twitter, AlbionAthletics on Instagram and on Facebook (facebook.com/AlbionAthletics).
Joe and Julie Serra have given a $5 million leadership gift to launch a fundraising initiative to make two dreams a reality. The first is a newly expanded fitness and student activity facility at the site of the current Dow Recreation and Wellness Center. The second is a new or renovated facility for the volleyball, men's basketball and women's basketball teams that currently call Kresge Gymnasium home.
The College is continuing to raise funds in support of both projects. To learn more, call 517/629-0446 or email advancement@albion.edu.
