Defiance reaches double-digits wins in decisive conference battle

DEFIANCE, Ohio – The hunt for the post season gets stronger as the Defiance Yellow Jackets swept the Concordia Cardinals in a convincing manner to reach 10 wins for the first time in five seasons. 

The Yellow Jackets (10-20, 4-11 WHAC) came out swinging against the Cardinals (11-15, 6-9 WHAC) with a solid .238 hitting percentage for the match, which was boosted .526 average during the second set. 

Defiance went on several short runs throughout the first set to build their lead and take it convincingly. The start of the second set looked to be much of the same with Defiance building a 10-3 lead before Concordia scored back-to-back points to bring it closer. However, the Yellow Jackets then rattled off an 11-2 run going up 21-7 and sucking the life out of Concordia as they did not lead at any point through the first two sets. 

THE TURNING POINT 
Concordia showed a great deal of fight in the third set thanks to a nine-point run that resulted in an 11-5 advantage. The Yellow Jackets swarmed back with six straight points to pull even and surpass the Cardinals. Defiance flipped the score with a 13-2 roll. From that point, Concordia scored on consecutive serves one time on the remainder of the match as DC rolled to the straight-set win.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS 

• Defiance earned their 10th win of the season with the victory, reaching double digits for the first time since 2019.
• The Yellow Jackets combined for 15 aces in the match, 12 of which were in the first two sets. The 15 aces tied Defiance's season high as team.
• Jamia Murray had a solid night with a team-best 10 kills, 13 digs, and four aces.
• Kylie Anderson was perfect in kills going 4-for-4. 
• Gabby Rodriguez also added eight kills for the Yellow Jackets.
• Ja'Miah Thomas and Jaelyn Tomoletz each had solid efforts defending the net with two solo blocks each. Thomas totaled five blocks overall.
• The straight-set victory was the seventh such win of the year by DC.
• With the win, the Yellow Jackets still hold tight to the 10th spot in the WHAC standings and a postseason berth.

UP NEXT 
The Yellow Jackets continue their home stand to close out the year as they host UNOH on Saturday at 7:00 p.m.

Written by Logan Kunkel

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