Hilo, Hawaii was good to Ashland’s volleyball squad. The ladies won three-of-four matches against formidable opponents to start their season. Since returning from Hawaii, the volleyball team has spent all their time on the road.

Findlay beat the Eagles 3-2 Sept. 10 and Hillsdale jumped on the wagon, blanking AU 3-0. Both matches proved costly considering Findlay and Hillsdale are in first and second place in the GLIAC South. Ashland is currently fourth behind Tiffin.

AU’s most recent match was at Wayne State where the Eagles dominated the Warriors 3-0.

Sophomore outside hitter Brittany Snider has picked up where she left off from last year.

In the three matches since returning from Hawaii, Snider has had a team-high total of 60 kills.

Findlay

Despite Snider’s efforts, the Eagles fell to the Oilers in five sets (15-25, 25-17, 22-25, 25-22, 16-18) Sept. 11.

AU fell behind early in the first set and was never able to fully recover. The Eagles fell behind again in the second set but were able to come back and even the score.

After losing a tightly contested third set, Ashland was able to force a fifth set but was unable to pull out the victory after tying the set 16-16.

As a team, the Eagles hit .182 for the match. Senior middle hitter Sophie Paddock accounted for 11 kills and five blocks, two of which were solo. Kate Eckels contributed 15 kills of her own.

No. 24 Hillsdale

AU had its chance to beat the Chargers in each of the first two sets but was unable to secure the victory before losing the third and final set (26-28, 25-27, 21-25).

The Eagles led the first set 17-10 and the second set 18-12 but the nationally ranked Chargers showed their strength to overcome the deficit and come away with the win.

The Eagles downfall proved to be costly service errors, (12) and 21 attacking errors.

Despite earning nine more kills, Ashland was turned away seven times.

Eckels earned a double-double after smashing 12 kills and digging 14 balls.

Junior Arian Martin added 11 digs in the loss.

Wayne State

Ashland (4-3, 1-2 GLIAC) righted the ship against the Warriors after making the two-hour drive from Hillsdale to Detroit Saturday.

Looking to end their two match losing streak, AU went on the offensive hitting .464 in the first set and .296 for the match.

AU actually had to come from behind in all three sets but was able to close out all three sets thanks to their offensive attack.

Junior outside hitter Anesia Benton went 11-for-15, while Paddock went 8-for-12.

Both players were errorless and combined for a hitting percentage of 70.3. Snider added 17 kills.

On defense, Ashland seemed to be more of a floor guarding force.

All but one AU player earned at least one dig making scoring for the Warriors, especially late in sets.

Next up for the AU volleyball team is a trip to the Upper Peninsula.

Michigan Tech awaits the Eagles for their Sept. 17 matchup. The following day, AU will take on Northern Michigan before competing for the first time at home this season against Indianapolis, Sept. 22 at 7 p.m.