NORTH MANCHESTER, Ind. – The Manchester University volleyball was unable to overcome a fast start from the Defiance College Yellow Jackets on Wednesday October 9.  The visiting Yellow Jackets defeated the Spartans by set scores of 25-19, 25-17, and 25-22 in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference play in Stauffer-Wolfe Arena.

The Yellow Jackets got out to an early 11-6 lead in the first set and led by as much eight as Defiance took the first set by a 25-19 tally.  DC built another big lead in the second set, jumping out to a 9-1 advantage.  The Spartans got no closer than seven points, dropping the second set 25-17.

Both teams battled in the third set as the visiting Yellow Jackets narrowly edged Manchester 25-22.

Halle Planck (Gas City, Ind./Mississinewa) led the Spartans with 11 kills. Alexandria Collins (Lowell, Ind./Lowell) posted a team-high 21 assists.

Senior libero Anna Marie Lawrie (Indianapolis, Ind./Roncalli) ended the evening with a match-high 25 digs. 

Manchester dropped to 7-11, 0-3 HCAC while the Yellow Jackets improved to 13-7, 1-1 HCAC. 

Manchester will travel to Ancilla Community College for a tri-match on Friday October 11.  The Spartans will take on the Ancilla Chargers and the South Suburban College Bulldogs beginning at 3 p.m.