Alma, Mich. - A triple double from sophomore Dakota Pelach (Gaylord, Mich./Gaylord) helped the Alma College volleyball team to a 3-2 (25-23, 33-31, 23-25, 19-25, 17-15) victory over Saint Mary's College on Tuesday (Oct. 6) in the Art Smith Arena at Alma College. Alma has now finished the first half of league play with an overall record of 8-10 and 4-4 in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association where they sit tied for third with three other teams. 

It was a back and forth first set for both teams as the game was tied for a total of 10 times between both teams and where neither team exceeded more than a two point lead. Alma did however capitalize off of Saint Mary's (11-8 overall, 4-4 MIAA) seven errors ultimately taking the first set 25-23.

Alma got off to a slow start trailing 8-2 in the second set but a kill from senior Hannah Guilford (Hartland, Mich./Hartland) tied the game 16-16. The Scots took their first lead of the game (18-17) after a kill from junior Madison Smith (Westphalia, Mich./Pewamo-Westphalia) where they maintained the lead winning the second set 33-31.

In the third set, the Scots found themselves trailing 10-5 but a Saint Mary's error gave the Scots the spark they needed to go on a 9-3 run to take the lead 14-13. Saint Mary's would answer and Alma was unable to keep the lead as Saint Mary's won the set 25-23. 

Alma's nine errors in the fourth set made it difficult for themselves and the Belle's used it to their advantage along with 15 kills of their own. Saint Mary's would go on to win the set, 25-19 to force the game in to a deciding match.

A kill from Pelach gave Alma their largest lead of the fifth set, 7-3. Saint Mary's closed the gap and took the lead 11-8 after an 8-1 run. A kill from Guilford tied the game back up 13-13. Saint Mary's would battle but the Scots took four of the last six points to win the set 17-15 for the overall 3-2 victory.

Pelach led the way for Alma as she recorded her fourth triple double of the year, prior to tonight's match she was fifth in the nation in the category. She finished the night with 11 kills, 12 digs and 39 assists. Four other Scots were in the double digits with kills including Smith (12 kills), junior Kendall Sells (Muskegon, Mich./Mona Shores) (12 kills), senior Maggie Miller (Frankfort, Mich./Frankfort) (14 kills) and Guilford who led with 19 kills. 

Guilford led the team with 18 digs and Smith notched three block solos and seven block assists while freshman Maria Feldpausch (White Cloud, Mich./White Cloud) tied her career high 27 assists.

Alma will start the second round of conference play on Friday (Oct. 9) hosting the Dutch of Hope College in Art Smith Arena with a game time set for 7:00 p.m. 

QUOTES

Head Coach Sarah Dehring

on the win...

"We came out flat and were flat throughout the evening but the girls came up big when they needed it most. They are finally showing the confidence they need to believe and know they can win games."