The Quakers got off to a fast start in the first set winning five of the first six points of the match. The Yellow Jackets soared back, however, and took set one. After a dropping set two, Earlham found itself tied 8-8 in set three. Defiance won six of the next nine points to take a 14-11 advantage, but the Quakers cut the deficit to two points by forcing the Yellow Jackets into three consecutive attack errors. Ultimately, Defiance used aggressive serving to keep the Quakers out of system and pull away for the set three victory.
Defiance had 13 service aces compared to just four errors on the day. Earlham won the block game, however, with four team blocks compared to three for Defiance.
Individually, freshmen Ashleigh Burton and Denisha Mataia each tallied eight kills with Burton hitting a .294 clip. Mataia, sophomore Kayla Morris, and freshman Jessica Dammeyer each added seven digs to bolster the Quakers’ back row. Senior Britney Ware added three digs in the final home match of her career.
Mereidth Shank led Defiance with nine kills.
Earlham plays the final match of its 2015 season on Saturday at Manchester. First serve is slated for 1 p.m.
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