DEFIANCE, Ohio. - Defiance College outlasted Lawrence Tech in a wild, five-set WHAC Conference battle (21-25, 28-26, 22-25, 25-22, 15-13) in Defiance, Ohio. The marathon match lasted nearly three hours and saw 27 ties and 20 lead changes.
Lawrence Tech took early control in the first set, pulling away 25-21 behind a heavy dosage of Maria Trevino Nunez. Defiance answered back in a chaotic second set that saw 13 ties, holding off set points to steal a 28-26 win. LTU regained the lead in the third set with a 25-22 victory powered by strong net play from Catelyn Chapin. However, Defiance forced a deciding frame by taking set four 25-22 behind key attacks from Shelby Clements.
In the fifth set, Lawrence Tech jumped out to an early 7-4 lead. Defiance rallied to tie the game and eventually closed out the 15-13 victory on a final kill by Clements.
Trevino Nunez led all players with 25 kills and 20 digs for LTU, while setter Dru Temple added 48 assists and Emily Hagelthorn posted 36 digs. Defiance was driven by Clements (21 kills, 25 digs), Chaney Brodbeck (20 kills, 19 digs), and setter Haley Hammer, who dished out 56 assists.
