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Ada, Ohio - University of Olivet’s Dash Herrema takes on Albion’s Max Honiss in the semifinal round of the regional tournament.
Photo Credit: Stuart Donlan
Men's Volleyball
The Olivet men's volleyball team opened conference play Friday with a four-set loss to the University of Mount Union. The Purple Raiders claimed victory in the first, third, and fourth sets. Mount Union secured the first set with a .542 attack percentage, winning 25-11. Olivet responded by taking the second set 25-23. Mount Union then dominated the third set 25-16 and the fourth set 25-21. Senior Quinn Dickerson led the team with 15 kills, while senior Kai Hartman recorded 25 assists. Senior Deontay Thomas had a match-high 14 digs.
On Saturday, Olivet lost in three sets to Baldwin Wallace University. The Comets held three-point leads on two occasions early in the set, but the Yellow Jackets utilized a 12-2 run to seize control, turning a 7-4 deficit into a 19-6 lead. Baldwin Wallace maintained their lead for the remainder of the set and went on to win the second set 25-19 and the third set 25-13. Senior Quinn Dickerson contributed 19 kills, setting a record for most kills in a single season. Senior Ethan Valente followed with six kills.
Women's and Men's Tennis
The Olivet women's tennis team suffered an 8-1 defeat against Franklin College on Saturday. The Grizzlies secured wins in two of the three doubles matches and swept all six singles matches. Freshman Jordan West and junior Alaina McCormick earned Olivet's sole point with an 8-6 victory in number three doubles.
On Sunday, the Olivet men's tennis team pulled off a 6-3 upset against Earlham College at the Minges Creek Athletic Club in Battle Creek, Michigan. The Comets won the last two doubles matches and claimed victories in the bottom four positions in singles to secure the overall win. Sophomore Ryan Ganger and freshman Alex Jonas won at number two doubles, while freshmen Josh Moore and Austin Whitney triumphed at number three doubles.
Baseball
Olivet baseball split a doubleheader Saturday in Rantoul, Illinois, defeating Elmhurst University (Ill.) 14-4 and falling to Lawrence University (Wis.) 21-5. Both games were abbreviated to seven innings due to the mercy rule.
On Sunday, the Comets lost a close game against Wisconsin Lutheran College 3-4. Despite taking a 3-0 lead in the second inning, Olivet succumbed to the Warriors, who rallied with a solo home run in the fourth inning and two more runs in the sixth inning to tie the game. Wisconsin Lutheran secured the winning run in the eighth inning. Junior Brendan Monroe and sophomore Will Myrick each contributed two hits and an RBI for the Comets, with seniors Matthew Fennell and Gabriel Kirck adding the only other hits.
Wrestling
On Friday, three Olivet wrestlers traveled to Ada, Ohio, advancing to the semifinals and aiding the Comets in securing sixth place after day one of the 2024 NCAA Division Three Central Regional. Seniors Dylan Phelps and Donovan King both held a 2-0 record to contribute to the team's success.
The following day, King finished second in the 285-pound weight class, while Phelps achieved a 4-1 record in the 141-pound weight class. Phelps rebounded from a loss in the semifinals to claim third place, defeating Art Martinez from Case Western Reserve University 16-12. Both King and Phelps earned spots in the NCAA Championships, with Olivet finishing sixth overall at the NCAA Division Three Central Regional.
Softball
Olivet softball commenced their season opener with two losses against Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana. The first game on Saturday ended 1-10, with senior Brielle Broderick's groundout bringing home sophomore Corina Hernandez for the lone run. The second game concluded in a 9-2 victory for Earlham, with Olivet managing three hits from sophomore Mattie Akom and freshmen Olivia Burt and Zola Smith.
The University of Olivet faced Ohio Wesleyan University in another doubleheader on Sunday, resulting in two defeats. In the first game, Ohio Wesleyan secured an 8-0 victory, with seniors Brielle Broderick and Meredith Morell each contributing one hit for the Comets.
In the second game, Ohio Wesleyan capitalized on Olivet's errors to secure a 0-7 victory. Neither team scored until the fifth inning when Ohio Wesleyan capitalized on three errors by Olivet, resulting in five runs. The Battling Bishops added two more unearned runs in the sixth inning, sealing the victory over the Comets.