'Play hard until the end': Ashland tops Hillsdale in three close sets in G-MAC volleyball

And a pair of fifth-year seniors shall lead them into first place.

Erin Krupar and Zoey Peck were just two of the reasons the Ashland University women’s volleyball team finished off a stellar weekend by downing Hillsdale College in three sets, 25-20, 25-14, 25-21, on Sherrill Hudson Court at Kates Gymnasium Saturday in Great Midwest Athletic Conference action.

Coupled with AU’s 3-0 win over Findlay on Friday, the Eagles improved to 11-0 and first in the G-MAC South Division and 16-5 overall.

Krupar and Peck, both fifth-year upperclassmen, shined on the hardwoods all match, as did a number of their AU teammates in the Eagles' 13th consecutive win. Krupar led the way with 17 kills and a .350 percentage.

AU battled back from an 11-3 deficit in the first set behind the strong-arm play of Krupar, Makenna Belcher, GraveAnn Hartman, and Anna Krikke. The Eagles outpointed the Chargers (16-4, 9-2) 22-9 to close out the set.

“We scouted them all week, we knew them like the back of our hand, we just came out and played our game. The biggest thing was we wanted to set the tone for the close games and just come out and play like us,” said Krupar. “We just kind of stuck to what we knew. I think when we get down like that, we have so much trust in each other, we know we’re going to come back, we’re going to find ways to win. We’re just going to play hard until the end.”

Peck collected 41 assists after pocketing 36 against Findlay, and Krupar had 11 kills.

“I always try to call a good offense and mix the ball around, but I think it all starts with our passers because when we’re in system we’re unstoppable with any of our hitters in the front row,” Peck said. “In years past, the ball has been spread out unevenly but this year, like Erin said, we just trust everyone so much and we know everyone can get the job done, so I think that’s a big thing because we know everyone is ready, everyone is available, and everyone will step up.”

AU coach Kevin Foeman, now in his fifth season along with his wife, Remy, Ashland’s assistant coach, said he believes his team is now ready to take on the best.

“I think we’ve been ready for a year now, and I think we’re just showcasing what we can do for our whole team and we’re locked in, we’re playing hard, we’re playing together, and you’re seeing who we are,” Foeman insisted, as he’s had other special teams in the past. “I think all those years allowed us to be who we are now. The failures we learned from it, the growth, and we’ve been here four-plus years now, we’ve dealt with a lot of Covid, so I think we’ve developed a lot of character, and just toughness, togetherness. I think that’s kind of the difference.”

Krupar swatted a half-dozen kills in the second set with two blocks, and Hartman (five kills) and Abby Stanford (three kills) also came up big.

Stephanie Smith also played well for AU, constantly diving and leading the way with 20 digs. Hartman and Stanford each ended with nine kills, and Krikke added a six blasts.

“Like I’ve been saying, she’s the glue that keeps us together, “ Foeman said of Smith. “She’s the steady, calming force for Zoey, and she’s really good. When we have her and Katie on the wings for us in the back row, it’s pretty strong.”

In the third set, both teams battled back and forth, until back-to-back kills by Hartman gave AU a 15-13 lead. They had preceded one of the best shots in the match when Krupar ran to save a dig by Katie Thompson and sent the ball back to her. With her back to the net, Thompson sent the ball back over her shoulders to an open area on the court, much to the dismay of the Chargers but to the wild cheers of the AU faithful.

The hustle play signified how well the Eagles play together and how they play fearlessly, knowing their teammates have their backs, like Krupar and Peck mentioned.

“Having Zoey and Erin as fifth-years that have been to the NCAA tournament, having Anna and Steph, seniors who have been through a lot, allows me to sit back and relax a little bit, especially in games knowing they’ll calm them down,” Foeman said. “I almost called a timeout and Zoey told me to stay down so when they have them in control you can trust them.”

This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Erin Krupar, Zoey Peck lead Ashland University to G-MAC volleyball win