ACGC Volleyball Picks Up First Conference Win, 3-0 Over Earlham

The ACGC volleyball team turned in what is arguably its best performance of the young season last night when it defeated Earlham in straight sets in WCAC action on the Cardinals' home court.

After the Cardinals took an early 2-1 lead in set one, they maintained the lead until Jenna Rowley came to the serve with ACGC trailing 14-12. The Chargers then scored four consecutive points that included an ace serve by Rowley and a block for a point by Alaina Bunde to give the visitors a lead at 16-14 that it would build on to win the set by a 25-19 score.

Earlham once again took the lead in the second set and led 23-19 late in the set and appeared on the verge of a win when the Chargers received the serve. With Mollie Gettler serving, Earlham became its own worst enemy when its defense hit two balls out of bounds and two into the net to knot the score at 23-23. Finally, with ACGC leading 24-23 Gettler finished the set with an ace serve that landed on the back out of bounds line and preserved the set win for the Chargers, 25-23.

The third set went into overtime when the Cards came from behind to tie the score at the end of "regulation" at 25 apiece. It was also tied at 26, 27, 28, and 29 with Earlham receiving the serve. ACGC took a one point lead at 30-29 when Chloe Largent's kill was hit into the net, and then the set and match winner was hit out of bound by the Cardinals to give the visitors a 31-29 set win and a 3-0 match victory.

This was a significant win for the Chargers, as Earlham came into the match with a 10-2 season record including a 3-1 mark in WCAC play. The win was the first for ACGC in conference play, giving the team a 1-3 mark in the WCAC and a 4-7 overall record.

The Chargers will next be in action when it hosts its own invitational on Saturday, with the first serve set for 9 AM.

Set Scores:

ACGC 25 25 31

Earl 19 23 29