GOSHEN, Ind. - Women's volleyball welcomed the #15 Grace College Lancers to the Ruth Gunden Gymnasium on Saturday. Despite being level after two sets, the Maple Leafs fell 16-25, 25-23, 15-25, 22-25.
The first set started with the Lancers jumping out to an 8-4 lead, largely in part due to four attack errors from the Leafs. Goshen then put together a 4-1 run with kills from Ava Schneider and Carmin Corey. From here, the Lancers went on an 8-1 run with kills from Anna Elkin, Levyn Snow, Callie Jo Celichowski, and a series of Goshen errors to lead 16-7. For the rest of the set, the teams traded points, until an attacking error from Goshen gave the set to Grace.
Goshen got out to a fast start in the second set, leading 11-2 with thanks to aces from Sydney Stutsman and Corey, as well as Schneider, Sami Lard and Corey, who all got kills. The Lancers then went on an 8-1 run to reduce the Maple Leaf lead to just three, before Lard, Schneider and Corey led a 6-1 run as Goshen reached 20 first and led by eight. Kills from Savannah Clawson, Molly Hofmann, Abby Leffring and a Goshen attacking error brought the Lancers to within a point with the score at 22-21. A brace of kills from Lard gave Goshen set point. The Lancers pulled it back to within a point with a kill from Hofmann, who also scored on a block with Celichowski. A Grace attack error gave the set to Goshen on a score of 25-23.
The Lancers halted the Goshen momentum to start the third set. They led 18-8 before Goshen could put a run of consecutive points together, which all came through Grace errors. The Lancers continued to push the Leafs, whose next (and last) scoring run of the set came through a brace of kills from Corey to bring the score to 22-14. The Lancers put together a 3-1 run with kills from Elkin, Hofmann and an attack error from Goshen to win the set.
It was all Grace to start the fourth set. They went on a 10-2 run, with nine of their points coming from Goshen errors. Goshen put together a 9-2 run from here, with kills from Corey and Schneider alongside a brace of aces from both Carle Bruggema and Jessie Price. Corey, Stutsman and Danika Miller then spearheaded a 6-2 Goshen run. Goshen then tied the set at 20, before a Mary Osten ace gave them their first lead of the set. The teams were then tied at 21 and 22, before a 4-0 Grace run gave Grace the set and ultimately the victory.
Corey tied her career high kills of 16 that she set the game prior, tied her season high blocks with three, and nabbed three aces for the team as well.Â
Lard earned her second most kills this season with 10, and a season high three assists. Lila Quinones continued as a defensive presence with her fourth straight match of 6+ kills as she picked up 7 versus Grace. Miller also stepped up on defense as she picked up three blocks for the Leafs, which is a career high.Â
This match marked senior day, where the class of 2027 celebrated before the game. This year, three players were celebrated – Alaina Wolfe, Kelsie Hankins, and Carle Bruggema. Here is what was said about the players before the game:
We start by recognizing #4, Alaina Wolfe! Alaina is being escorted by her parents, Tina Hahn and David Wolfe. She is a criminal and restorative justice major and after graduation plans to attend Louisville's Brandeis School of Law. Her favorite memory from her time on the team was their house in Kentucky on the trip they took together, and Armani climbing down to the lake during her junior year. Thank you, Alaina!
Next we have #11, Kelsie Hankins! Kelsie is being escorted by her parents. She is a psychology major, and after graduation she plans to attend graduate school and study cognitive neuroscience. Her favorite memory from her time on the team was all of the everyday conversations and jokes that she and her teammates shared. Thank you, Kelsie!
Finally we recognize #20, Carle Bruggema! Carle is being escorted by her parents, Lori and Chris Bruggema. She is a psychology major and plans for a few months after graduation to work in the field, before attending Central Michigan University's mental health counseling program. Her favorite memory from her time on the team was also their trip to Kentucky together, where she felt that they really all got to know each other and created many meaningful bonds. Thank you, Carle!
Seniors - we wish nothing but the best for you in your future endeavors and thank you again for your contributions to the Goshen College women's volleyball program. As you go out into the world, live FULL lives of faith, unity, learning and leadership. Fans, let's hear it one last time for our women's volleyball seniors!
The Maple Leafs are back in action on Wednesday, Nov. 4 as they conclude their season with a home match as they take on Spring Arbor. First serve is set for 7 p.m.
