Findlay Post-Game Press Conference
St. Louis, Mo.- In a tightly contested match, the University of Findlay edged past Wayne State University on Thursday, Dec. 4, in the opening round of the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional. The fifth-seeded Oilers delivered the third upset of the day, outdueling the fourth-seeded Warriors in a dramatic five-set showdown, 3–2 (23–25, 25–23, 22–25, 25–23, 15–13). Findlay moves on to the Round of 32 with a 24–5 record, as Wayne State wraps up its season at 24–6.
Wayne State controlled the opening set, using a 7–0 run powered by blocks and transition swings to build a 12–5 advantage. Findlay answered with a push of its own, cutting the gap to 18–17 behind a string of kills from junior Hannah Miller and senior Makenna Belcher. The Oilers eventually pulled even at 22–22, but the Warriors closed it out as Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Player of the Year Kayla Giroux delivered a kill and a block to secure the 25–23 win.
The second set flipped the script. After a 6–6 tie, Findlay erupted for five straight points, highlighted by Miller's back-to-back kills and a Wayne State error, to go up 11–6. The Warriors rallied late to even the score at 22–22, but Belcher delivered three clutch kills in the final rallies to secure a 25–23 win and tie the match.
Set three opened evenly before Findlay grabbed a 13–9 lead behind steady side-outs and a kill from senior Alana Pohlman. Wayne State responded with a 5–0 run, capitalizing on Oiler miscues and Giroux's continued hot hand to surge ahead 20–17. Findlay fought back to make it 22–21, but the Warriors held strong and finished the set 25–22.
Needing the fourth set to stay alive, Findlay showed its grit. Trailing 7–4, the Oilers pieced together a 6–2 run to even the score at 10–10, fueled by a service ace from senior Emma White and Belcher's steady attacking. Tied again at 21–21, Findlay closed with precision, scoring four of the final six points—including key kills from Belcher and Pohlman—to force a decisive fifth set.
The final frame delivered all the drama. Wayne State opened with a 4–1 lead, but Findlay countered with a 7–2 surge to go up 8–6, sparked by another White ace and a cross-court finish from Belcher. The teams traded points to 13–13 before Belcher buried a kill for match point, and Pohlman forced an error to seal the 15–13 win.
The Oilers powered their way to 71 kills on 206 swings, finishing the night at a .189 hitting clip while generating consistent offensive pressure. Wayne State hit .241 with 65 kills on 187 attempts and 20 errors, and held the edge at the net with 16 blocks to Findlay's four.
Leading the Orange and Black was Belcher, recently named all-region by both the Division II Conference Commissioners' Association (D2CCA) and American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA). The Marengo, Ohio, native tallied 28 kills while hitting .309—marking the second-most kills in a single NCAA Tournament match in program history. She rounded out her impressive stat line with 19 digs and two blocks.
Miller, returning to her role as outside hitter for the Oilers, posted a season-high 24 kills and hit .279, while also leading UF with 24 digs. Pohlman and senior Lauren Foerster both chipped in seven kills.
White, the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) Player of the Year, ran Findlay's offense with her usual efficiency, tallying 64 assists while contributing 13 digs and three aces.
Juniors Miya Ellerbrock and Kirsten Bomholt, returning to their roles as liberos, anchored the back line with 11 and ten digs, respectively.
Fifth-seeded Findlay will take on the eighth-seeded University of Indianapolis Greyhounds, who pulled off the day's biggest upset by defeating top-ranked host University of Missouri–St. Louis. The matchup is set for tomorrow, Friday, Dec. 5, at 7 p.m. CT.