WINONA LAKE, Ind. – Senior setter Alexa Hill recorded a personal milestone during Grace College volleyball team's 3-1 victory over Goshen on Wednesday.
Hill recorded the 4,000th assist of her All-American career, becoming the second player in Grace history to reach that milestone. She is the first Lady Lancer to record 4,000 assists in the modern-rally era.
The Lady Lancers (11-11, 7-4 Crossroads League) continued their winning ways; Grace is now 7-2 over its past nine matches.
Hill directed Grace's offense to an efficient performance. The Lady Lancers had 57 kills on a .259 percentage compared to 43 kills for the Maple Leafs (6-17, 1-10 CL).
The Maple Leafs came out firing in the first set. Grace found itself in an early hole and never overcame Goshen's offense.
Grace's attack was stifled by strong blocking for Goshen. Hitting at a .484 clip, the Maple Leafs took the first set 25-20.
Overcoming another early deficit, Grace's defense smothered the fiery Goshen attack. The Lady Lancers scored three block points in the second set, including a big block from Makaela Lochmueller.
The Lady Lancers won the second set 25-17 to even up the match.
Grace flipped the script in the third set, taking an early lead for the first time in the match. Gabbey Harrington racked up three quick kills to put Grace ahead 4-3.
Although the Maple Leafs later tied the score, the Lady Lancers' offense was too potent. Lochmueller and Hill teamed up to score three straight kills and pad the lead.
Two aces from freshman Autumn Deshetsky and another from Jadyn Block were enough to secure the third set by a score of 25-18.
Grace's dominance continued in the fourth set; the Lady Lancers held the lead for most of the set.
In a fitting end to a historic night, Hill secured the victory for the Lady Lancers with an ace on the final play, winning the set 25-18.
Harrington led the offense with 13 kills, and Lochmueller added 12 kills on a .524 percentage. Lochmueller also had two solo blocks and two block assists.
Deshetsky recorded four aces on the night, and Gina Novotny's 24 digs led all players.
Hill stuffed the stat sheet on her memorable evening, finishing the night with 38 assists, 7 digs, 6 kills, 2 block assists and 1 ace.
Grace travels to Michigan this weekend for a tournament at Cornerstone University. The four-game tournament begins with a matchup against IU South Bend on Friday at 6 p.m.
