DEFIANCE, Ohio – The Earlham College volleyball team swept Defiance College 3-0 in HCAC action on Wednesday evening. 

The Quakers improved to 6-15 (1-3 HCAC) while the Yellow Jackets fell to 3-16 (0-5 HCAC).

Freshman Caylee Brandes led the offense with 10 kills and a .350 hitting percentage. Maria Young scored nine kills and had one ace with two blocks. 

Ava Walters served as the primary setter with 29 assists and three service aces. The sophomore also scored four kills on nine attacks. 

Serving as libero, Lauren Newcomer collected 10 digs and scored one ace. 

The Quakers jumped out to a 5-3 lead early in set one. After leading 10-7 the visitors allowed a 5-0 run from the Yellow Jackets to bring the score to 12-10. Undeterred, Earlham then scored a 7-1 run, and led 17-13.

After a 5-1 run by the Quakers brought the score to 24-19, the Yellow Jackets mounted a 5-0 run to attempt a comeback. The effort was ended by a kill from Liv Kyrk to win the set for EC. 

Earlham dropped to a 6-1 deficit in the opening stages of the second set before a 9-1 run by the Quakers. Defiance tied the set at 14, and the teams each scored a 4-0 run before Ealrham scored an 8-0 run with Walters on the serves to close the set. 

The Quakers had their most efficient showing in set three with a .360 attack percentage and just five errors as a team. Earlham had three runs of four or more points in the set, and used a 4-1 run to end the match.

The Quakers continue their road trip on Saturday at Anderson University. The match is slated for 1 pm.