HUNTINGTON, Ind., and GOSHEN, Ind. — Friday night, four sets were three too many for the Goshen College volleyball team in a loss at Huntington. Saturday afternoon, the Maple Leafs probably felt that four were one too many, but the scoreline was forgiven because of the result in a win over Grace.

Goshen won the first set Friday evening in Platt Arena by a 28-26 margin before dropping the final three 25-22, 25-21 and 21-19. Hallie Vanitvelt led Goshen with 17 kills, four short of the game high set by Huntington's Josie Beaver. The host Foresters, who improved to 1-2 on the season and in conference play, picked up 21 points from Goshen attack errors, but gave just as many back.

In defeat, Angela Dedering led Goshen with 18 digs and Lisa Rodriguez with 22 assists. Emily Hubby of Huntington led all players with 27 assists, while teammate Kate Cobb had 30 digs.

Saturday afternoon, it was Goshen's turn to win in four sets, and if Grace had not come back from 22-19 and 24-22 deficits to win the second stanza 26-24, it would have been in three. But reality was less kind, and the hosts instead sandwiched 25-21 and 25-17 set wins around their loss before taking the match with a 25-19 win in the fourth.

The Maple Leafs' blocking proved key late in the match, holding Grace to negative hitting percentages in the final two stanzas. Goshen registered eight stuffs at the net, including five solos: Natalie Hubby and Lexa Magnuson each had two apiece.

Whitney Peterson led Goshen with 10 kills, followed by eight apiece from Vanitvelt and Katy Anspach. Dedering led Goshen with 21 digs, and Rodriguez posted the same figure to lead in assists: Rodriguez was only two shy of Grace's Laken Chaney for the match high in that category despite Goshen employing two setters and Grace only one.

The weekend split leaves Goshen above .500 at 8-4 overall but in sixth place out of 10 in the Crossroads League at 2-3. The Maple Leafs, whose five conference matches thus far are the most of any conference team, play just once this week before an eight-day layoff: Goshen hosts league leader Mount Vernon Nazarene Tuesday night at 7 p.m.

More, including comments from Goshen coach Jim Routhier, to come when available.