ALBION, Mich. – The Albion College volleyball team is rising into uncharted territory.
First-year setter Grace VanDorn distributed the ball as five Britons reached double figures in kills, and four Britons collected at least two service aces as they gained a 23-25, 25-6, 25-19, 25-18 victory over Kalamazoo College inside Kresge Gymnasium.
It was the fifth victory in a row for the Britons, and research was unable to find the last time Albion had accomplished the feat.
VanDorn finished with 49 assists and 11 digs for her 10th double-double of the season. Kaitlyn Gilchrist, Kelsey Gustafson and Kate Winter all had 11 kills. Marie Pregenzer and Taylor Rosenthal contributed 10 kills apiece. Rosenthal also helped Albion control the net with three block assists.
Monica Shuk led the defensive and service game with 13 digs and five aces. Rachel Zawodny served four aces, and Angela Adams and Gilchrist added two apiece.
"We are growing and focusing on our mindset right now," Albion Head Coach Kristin de St. Aubin said. "We are not talking about any of the wins. We will celebrate those at the awards banquet at the end of the season. We have to get back to work and prepare for the nationally ranked team from Calvin College next week."
Taking the court about 12 hours after returning from a Friday night trip to Alma College, Albion fell behind after letting Kalamazoo go on a six-point run to seize a 20-14 lead in the first set.
Gilchrist and Pregenzer scored a pair of kills apiece as Albion ripped off seven straight points to start the second set.
The second set was the only time Albion could relax. Kalamazoo frustrated Albion with a scrappy defensive effort until the end of the fourth set.
"Kalamazoo's record does not reflect how competitive it can be against conference teams," de St. Aubin said. "We knew it would be a point-for-point battle. We rely on our serve and pass defensive scrap game, and I think Kalamazoo did a really good job of that."
At 4-2 against MIAA rivals, Albion is a game ahead of Adrian College and Trine University, the teams tied for fourth place in the standings. The Britons, 8-6 overall, have a Tuesday night match at Calvin.
Get more information on the team by following @AlbionVball on Twitter. General athletics news can be found @gobrits on Twitter and Albion College Athletics on Facebook