By: Joseph Clarkson
SPRINGFIELD — The Ohio Northern volleyball team dropped a pair of matches Saturday at the Great Lakes Regional Challenge, hosted by Wittenberg at Pam Evans Smith Arena.
In the morning match, the Polar Bears (4-7 overall) fell to Alma (Mich.) (9-4 overall) in a thrilling five-set fashion, 26-24, 22-25, 25-16, 20-25, 15-9.
Junior Ellen Grenert led the way for the Polar Bears against the Scots with 14 kills and 13 digs. Sophomore Kristen Davidson contributed nine kills and three aces.
Freshman Hannah English dished out 42 assists. Sophomore Jeni Kmic led the defense with 32 digs, while English added 11 digs.
In the final match of the weekend, the Polar Bears fell in straight sets to No. 1-ranked Calvin, 25-14, 25-19, 25-16.
Against the Knights (11-0 overall), Grenert finished with a team- high seven kills. Davidson added five kills and two aces.
Kmic led the defense with 13 digs. Sophomore Cenzie Yoder and freshman Rachel Olach each notched three blocks.
The Polar Bears return to action next weekend when the team hosts the 2011 OAC-HCAC Challenge. Northern takes on Hanover (Ind.) and Transylvania (Ky.), Friday night and follow up with matches against Mount St. Joseph and Bluffton, Saturday afternoon.
