TIFFIN, Ohio – The Allegheny volleyball team concluded play at the 2026 Great Lakes Crossover Saturday (Sept. 5) against Baldwin Wallace and Kalamazoo Saturday (Sept. 5).
The Gators fell to both teams in three sets.
Baldwin Wallace 3, Allegheny 0 (25-16, 25-14, 25-20)
The Gators built an early 6-3 lead against the Yellowjackets. However, Baldwin Wallace would string a couple of runs together as they won the opening set 25-16.
After Baldwin Wallace won the second set, the teams went back-and-forth in the third set as they found themselves tied at 19. The Yellowjackets, though, closed out the set on a 6-1 run to take the match.
Inside the Box
- Jillian Smetana (Chardon, Ohio / Berkshire) led the team with eight kills.
- Marissa Rish (Burton, Ohio / Berkshire) had seven kills, eight assists and six digs.
- Skyler Fatola (Queen Creek, Ariz. / Eastmark) added five kills and three blocks.
- Duru Akbas (Ankara, Turkey / Layton Christian Academy (Utah)) had 11 digs.
- Joanna Miller (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Gateway) tallied 10 assists.
Kalamazoo 3, Allegheny 0 (25-22, 25-22, 25-21)
The teams battled back and forth in the opening set before Kalamazoo strung together a 4-0 run to take a 19-15 lead. The set remained close, but the Hornets took it 25-22.
The Hornets jumped out to a 14-7 lead in the second set before a Gator 6-0 run brought the deficit down to two points. However, Kalamazoo answered with their own 6-0 run to regain control before taking the set 25-22.
The Gators utilized a couple small runs in the third set to build a 16-13 lead, but the Hornets went on a 6-1 run to take the lead. Trailing 24-20, the Gators staved off one match point before Kalamazoo clinched.
Inside the Box
- Smetana once again led the Gators with 12 kills.
- Fatola added five kills while Carly Beers (Warren, Pa. / Warren) had four.
- Akbas led the backline with 22 digs,
- Rish finished with a team-high 19 assists to go alongside seven digs and three kills.
News and Notes
- Allegheny is now 12-6 all-time against Baldwin Wallace and 2-4 against Kalamazoo.
Up Next
The Gators are back in action Tuesday (Sept. 8) at John Carroll.
