ASHLAND, Ohio — Top-seeded Ashland University and No. 2 seed University of Findlay punched their tickets to the 2026 Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) Volleyball Championship match following a dramatic semifinal doubleheader Friday night at Ashland’s Kates Gymnasium.
 
Findlay opened the evening with a straight-set sweep over No. 3 Cedarville, while host Ashland outlasted No. 5 Hillsdale in a five-set thriller to set up a Saturday afternoon championship clash between the North and East Division champions.

Semifinal Match 1: No. 2 Findlay def. No. 3 Cedarville, 3–0 (25–14, 25–23, 25–22)
No. 2 Findlay (20–8, 13–2 G-MAC) jumped out to a fast start, never trailing in a lopsided 25–14 opening-set victory before holding off No. 3 Cedarville (17–11, 12–3 G-MAC) through 24 ties and six lead changes across the final two frames. The Oilers out-hit the Lady Jackets .264 to .161 behind Stephanie Smith (11 kills, three aces) and Lauren Foerster (10 kills, two blocks), while Abria Lomax anchored the net with five blocks and Kirsten Bomholt dished out 20 assists. Cedarville was paced by senior Madelyn Hensley with 10 kills and Sienna Hanson with seven kills and five blocks, supported by Sidney Shepherd's 28 assists and Alivia Rutt's match-high 18 digs.

Semifinal Match 2: No. 1 Ashland def. No. 5 Hillsdale, 3–2
In the nightcap, top-seeded host Ashland (23–5, 15–1 G-MAC) seized control in the opening frame before weathering a relentless push from No. 5 Hillsdale (16–13) to survive a five-set marathon on its home floor. The Eagles' balanced offense—fueled by first-team All-G-MAC middle blockers Myia Etzler and Livi Miller, outside hitters Sara Krizsa and Jenna Shedden, and senior setter Kylee Urban—out-paced the Chargers with a 69–60 advantage in total kills and a .236 to .198 edge in hitting percentage, while senior libero Abbey Queen anchored the back row. Hillsdale stayed within striking distance behind a career-best 20-kill, 22-dig double-double from Taylor Cook and 51 assists from Grace Drake. With the fifth set hanging in the balance, Ashland's front line delivered the final clutch kills needed to close out the victory and punch its ticket to Saturday's championship match.


Up Next: G-MAC Championship Match
Matchup: No. 2 Findlay vs. No. 1 Ashland
Date & Time: Saturday, November 14, 2026 — 1:00 p.m. EST
Location: Sherrill Hudson Court at Kates Gymnasium (Ashland, Ohio)