N. MANCHESTER, Ind. – Defiance slipped to 3-3 on the year in HCAC play, after falling in four sets at HCAC leading Manchester on Tuesday evening. The Jackets took the opening set, 30-26, before the host Spartan squad won 30-23, 30-18, and 30-26 to pick up the match victory.

Kelsey Ferguson topped the 45-assist plateau for the third time in DC’s last six matches and ran the Yellow Jacket attack with 49 helpers. Sara Porter was the primary beneficiary, as the explosive freshman hitter led Defiance with 17 kills. Danyel Lipps and Lauren Aldridge were solid once again, as the duo combined for 26 kills.

Heather Bradshaw bolstered the DC defensive effort with a team-high 32 digs and Lipps was right behind with 28. Porter added 18 digs and Julie Brunsman put down three solo blocks and one block assist.

Defiance (5-16, 3-3 HCAC) will play a pair of non-conference matches on Saturday. The Jackets will play Kalamazoo and St. Mary’s in Kalamazoo, Michigan.