The Alma College volleyball team hit the road traveling to Hope College in Holland, Mich., falling to the Dutch in a 3-0 contest. The Scots overall record drops to 1-5 on the season and 1-1 in the MIAA. Hope increases their record to 4-1 and 2-0 in the conference.

In the first set the Scots jumped out to an early 7-6 lead after a kill from senior Hannah Guilford (Hartland, Mich./Hartland) assisted by sophomore Dakota Pelach (Gaylord, Mich./Gaylord). Hope would go on a 5-1 run but the Scots tied the game at 11-11. Alma controlled the game leading by as much as five points but an 11-4 run for the Dutch sealed the set taking it from Alma 25-22.

The second set looked promising for Alma as four Hope errors helped give the Scots an early 9-6 lead. Hope tied the game 9-9 after an Alma error and never trailed again. The Dutch would pull ahead defeating the Scots 25-20.

Hope took the 6-3 lead but Alma did not back down as they went on a 9-3 run taking the 12-9 lead and forcing Hope to take a time out. After the time out Hope regained the league and was narrowing in on the victory with the score 23-18. Alma battled with back to back points but Hope answered with two of their own winning game three 25-20.

Pelach paced the evening for Alma with six kills, 19 assists and 16 digs. Junior Madison Smith (Westphalia, Mich./Pewamo-Westphalia) followed with five kills on the evening. Defensive specialist Molly Lark (Middleville, Mich./Thornapple-Kellogg) added team high on the night 19 digs. 

The Scots will turn around and be back in action tomorrow (Sept. 12) as they continue MIAA play. Alma will welcome Olivet College to Art Smith Arena for their home opener of the 2015 season.

QUOTES

on the day... 

"We had a lot of opportunities, we just didn't finish. We were leading in almost every set and had great momentum but we did give up some long runs and streaks due to miscommunication errors which cost us big in the end. Everybody in the league is beatable, we just need to make sure we play our game."