Oilers Start Year 3-1

The women's volleyball team split a pair of matches on Saturday, knocking off Texas A & M Kingsville 3-0 and falling to Indiana University Pennsylvania 2-3.

The Oilers used an even offensive attack and tough serving to keep the Kingsville off balance. As a team, the Oilers hit .346 for the match.

In set one, Findlay came out firing on all cylinders behind a balanced offense, beating the Javelinas 25-13. Freshman Danielle Taflinger led Findlay with 9 kills and a .381 hitting percentage. Freshman Mackenzie Vorst tallied seven kills with no errors to earn a .636 hitting percentage. Outside hitters Erin Thomasson and Abby LaVigne also earned seven kills.

Libero Rachael Hammond dug 13 balls.

Findlay's only defeat at the tournament, hosted by Davis & Elkins College, was a Saturday morning loss to IUP. Findlay won the first set 25-23 against IUP then scuttled and lost set two (24-26) and three (23-25).

The Oilers rebounded to win the fourth set and jumped out to an early lead in the final set. Findlay couldn't hold off a late charge by IUP, though, falling in the fifth set, 13-15.

Jessica VonIns hit .357 with 14 kills against IUP while Vorst hit .333 with 15 kills. VonIns also chipped in 23 assists and senior Megan Florence led with 32.

The matches move the Oilers to 3-1 on the season. The Oilers resume play on Tuesday, when they travel to California, Pennsylvania to take on Cal-Pa in an evening match.