Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
MARION - In Candace Moats' five years as volleyball coach at Grace College, the Lancers have reached almost every team achievement possible, from three NCCAA Regional Championships to a 50-win season to an NCCAA National Championship.
But one thing has been missing - a conference championship.
That changed Tuesday night at Indiana Wesleyan as Grace upset the Wildcats in four games to win the regular season conference title. The Lancers bounced back from a four-game non-conference loss to the Wildcats earlier in the year by defeating Indiana Wesleyan 4-15, 16-14, 15-8, 15-7.
After starting the season 5-7, the chance at winning a conference championship looked slim to many people. But not to coach Moats.
"I saw a change in work ethic and a change in attitude when they came back this year," Moats said. "We recognized that we have the ability to do well."
After falling behind 7-0 in game one and losing 15-4, the Lancers pulled everything together in a most important game two.
The Lancers jumped ahead 10-4 and eventually held a 14-7 lead, but Indiana Wesleyan began to fight back. Grace failed on seven game-point attempts as the Wildcats tied the score at 14-14. However, the Lancers quickly got a side out and two consecutive points to win the pivotal game.
"In our timeouts, I said, 'We've got to preserve this game. We have to be mentally stronger in this game than in the other games,'" Moats said. "It was like new life to get that game. Even though they came all the way back, the game was done. We won and the score was now one to one."
In game three, the Lancers went ahead 7-2 before Indiana Wesleyan cut the deficit to three points at 10-7. However, Grace regained composure and went on for the 15-8 victory.
In the final game, Indiana Wesleyan jumped out to a 6-1 lead. But Grace still had the mental advantage and scored the next 13 consecutive points to go ahead 14-6. After one Indiana Wesleyan point, the Lancers closed out the match.
The win puts the Lancers in an enviable position to qualify for the NAIA Regional Tournament. As the No. 1 seed, Grace will now host all of its matches in the conference tournament. Both of the conference finalists in the tournament will advance to the NAIA Regional, and the Lancers will not have to face either Indiana Wesleyan or Taylor, the only team to defeat the Lancers in conference play, until the championship game.
Grace (24-12, 6-1 MCC) will open conference tournament play Nov. 11 at home against Goshen College. The Lancers are seeded No. 1, while Goshen is No. 8.
GRACE DEF. INDIANA WESLEYAN
4-15, 16-14, 15-8, 15-7
Grace leaders
Kills - Kate Millen 13, Mandy Ringhand 11, Jamie Gill 11, Tricia Doyle 6
Assists - Kaylyn Lorenzen 45
Blocks - Kate Millen 4, Dawn Harper 3
Digs - Mandy Ringhand 9, Tricia Doyle 9, Dawn Harper 7
Aces - Dawn Harper 2, Tricia Doyle 2
