HILLSDALE, Mich. – For the second straight year, the Great Midwest Athletic Conference Volleyball Championship will be decided by Hillsdale and Findlay in the seventh and final match of the tournament bracket.
Both the Chargers and Oilers advanced out of the semifinal round on Friday evening with wins as they chase the automatic qualifier bid into the NCAA Championship Midwest Regional.
The championship match from Dawn Tibbetts Potter Arena will start 5 p.m. ET on Saturday since Hillsdale is also serving host to crossover women’s basketball tournament action.
Hillsdale, the top overall seed from the eight-team bracket, ousted No. 2 seed from the East Division, Lake Erie, in four sets.
The Storm put up a fight to the end, able to claim one set from the defending champion Chargers just like the Oct. 21 outcome between both schools in the regular season.
Findlay took care of business against East Division champion Walsh in straight sets in the semifinals on a neutral floor. The Oilers, No. 2 seed from the West Division, will be facing Hillsdale for the third time this season.
Hillsdale has won both previous meetings against Findlay in the regular season, one in four sets and another as a sweep.
Regardless, a group of really strong seniors that have displayed their talents for the past two seasons with new Great Midwest schools, will be sorely missed.
Two-time conference player of the year Paige VanderWall was devastating for Hillsdale as she racked up 25 kills, 16 digs and added four blocks along the front line, mostly with junior all-conference middle Hannah Gates.
Findlay’s senior core of Amanda Winner, Hailee Olson and Kara Scherger, helped drive the Oilers against the Cavaliers. The trio are two-time all-conference selections and the Oilers led all teams from the Great Midwest this year with seven total selections.
The Great Midwest Championship match will air live on the Great Midwest Digital Network and the NCAA Selection Show for the tournament bracket will be streamed on Sunday night at 10 p.m. ET.