HOLLAND, Mich. – The Thiel College volleyball team closed out play at the Midwest Challenge on Saturday, falling 3-1 to fourth-ranked Challenge co-host Hope College (10-25, 22-25, 25-17, 18-25) before losing 3-1 to NAIA member Cornerstone University (22-25, 22-25, 25-23, 25-17).

Against Hope sophomore middle hitter Kelly Barzak (Warren, Ohio, Howland) finished with 10 kills while senior libero Stephanie Shipley (Mentor, Ohio, Mentor) added 23 digs and senior setter Madison Chylik (Valley View, Ohio, Cuyahoga Heights) tallied 28 assists. As a team the Tomcats totaled nine blocks and 58 digs.

In the loss to Cornerstone Barzak led a threesome of Tomcats in double kill figures with 14 kills. Sophomore middle hitter Megg Andrews (Canfield, Ohio, Canfield) tallied 11 while sophomore outside hitter Alyssa Chine (North Jackson, Ohio, Jackson-Milton ) added 10. Chylik registered 40 assists as Chine helped out with 20 digs.

Thiel (2-4) returns to action on Saturday, September 11 when it hosts Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) rivals Washington & Jefferson College and Bethany College for the schedule's first conference-tri meet at Beeghly Gymnasium. The Tomcats will take on the Presidents at 11 a.m. before battling the Bison at 3 p.m.