Olivet, Mich. – The Alma College volleyball traveled down to Olivet, Mich. for their second match up with the Comets from Olivet College. In their last debut with the Comets the Scots lost 3-2, today had similar results as Alma was defeated 3-0. After the loss Alma is now 9-12 overall and 5-6 in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAA), while Olivet improved to 14-8 overall and 3-7 in conference. 

Olivet jumped out to a quick 7-1 lead forcing Alma to take their first time out of the day. Two consecutive kills from sophomore Dakota Pelach (Gaylord, Mich./Gaylord) put the Scots in striking range, trailing 10-15.  Alma went on a 9-4 run but Olivet closed out the set 25-21.

In the second set Alma led for the first portion but Olivet tied it up 13-13 after an Alma attacking error. The game was knotted three more times but Olivet walked away with a second set win 25-22 to give them the 2-0 advantage. 

The Scots owned the third set jumping out to a 6-3 lead on a kill from junior Sasha Laykova (Ternopil, Ukraine/Forest Hills Northern). Alma kept the rally going forcing Olivet to take a time out while the Scots led 16-11. Olivet answered with the timeout going on a 14-3 run to take the set 25-20 and the match 3-0.

Laykova led for Alma with 11 kills, five digs and two service aces. Junior Madison Smith (Westphalia, Mich./Pewamo-Westphalia) followed suit with seven kills of her own and four block assists. Pelach notched 17 assists and seven digs while defensive specialist junior Maressa Miller (Grand Blanc, Mich./Grand Blanc) led with 11 digs on the evening.

Alma will stay on the road traveling to Grand Rapids, Mich. on Friday (Oct. 16) to participate in the Calvin Tournament where they will take on Elmhurst College at 12:00 p.m. and Carthage College at 5:00 p.m. 

QUOTES

Head Coach Sarah Dehring

on the evening.. 

"Olivet played a good game, they simply just out worked us."