Sioux Center, Iowa — The Dordt Defenders lost a 3-1 decision to Midland in GPAC Quarterfinal round play on Saturday night in Sioux Center.
Midland took control midway through set one and overcame a 7-4 deficit to take a 12-9 lead. The Defenders got no closer than 16-15 but allowed three straight points from there and lost by an eventual 25-21.
Midland took a 13-10 lead in set two and Dordt rallied to within 17-16 after a block by Brenna Krommendyk but back to back points by the Warriors put them up by three and Dordt got no closer than 24-22 in the closing points and lost 25-22.
Set three was close throughout with a total of 18 ties and the difference was never more than two points. Dordt got a point off a block by Jessi De Jager and Jori Bronner to tie the set at 23-23 and De Jager added a kill for a 24-23 lead. The Warriors knotted it at 24-24 but a Bronner kill and a Midland attack error ended it with Dordt winning 26-24.
Needing a win to force a decisive fifth set, the Defenders led 11-9 in set four. The score was tied at 14-14 but a Warrior 4-0 run put them in control and Dordt got as close as one on three different occasions, the last at 22-21 but a 3-0 run by the visitors sealed the decision and sent Midland into the semifinals of the GPAC Tournament opposite Jamestown on Wednesday night.
Midland had a 49-45 advantage on kills and a 7-2 edge with ace serves.
Dordt had a 15-6 points off of blocks advantage and actually hit for a higher kill efficiency .207-.176.
Brenna Krommendyk had 13 kills and she had three solo blocks and three assisted blocks.
Jessi De Jager had nine kills and six block assists. Alli Timmermans had seven kills.
Corrina Timmermans and Grace Langemeier each had six kills.
Megan Raszler put up 25 assists and Hannah Connelly had 14 digs.
Dordt is 14-6 and will await a potential NAIA National Championship at-large bid announced in a week. Midland advances in tournament play to face Jamestown with an 11-8 overall mark.
