Tiffin University

TIFFIN, Ohio - The Tiffin University volleyball team broke through for its first victory of the 2026 season on Friday evening, defeating Northwood University 3-1 inside the Gillmor Student Center. After stealing a set in each of its previous two matches, the Dragons put together a complete performance to claim the win by scores of 25-21, 25-22, 19-25 and 25-19.
 
Tiffin came out strong in the opening set, overcoming a mid-set deficit before closing on a 15-8 run. The Dragons trailed 20-16 before reeling off nine of the final 10 points, highlighted by kills from Amber Czerniak, Symari Scott and Brookelyn Schmidt to secure a 25-21 victory.
 
The Dragons carried that momentum into the second frame, erasing an early 8-4 deficit. Consecutive kills from Scott and Katelyn Owens helped spark the comeback as Tiffin captured the set 25-22 and moved within one set of the victory.
 
Northwood answered in the third set, using a 9-4 run midway through the frame to gain separation and earn a 25-19 win, cutting the Dragons' lead to 2-1.
 
Tiffin quickly regained control in the fourth set. The Dragons used a 10-2 stretch to build a 15-8 advantage and never looked back. Service aces from Kat Akolzin and Morgan Morley, along with key kills from Owens and Scott, helped seal the 25-19 set victory and the match win.
 
Owens paced the Dragons' attack with a season-high 16 kills while hitting .464. Scott added 10 kills while Amber Czerniak chipped in nine along with recording 14. Kat Akolzin dished out 24 assists with Maggie Pavlansky recording an additional 20.
 
The 'Gons followed up its 50 kills from last Saturday against Findlay to record a new season-best 51 against the Timberwolves. With the win, Tiffin improves to 1-13 overall and 1-4 in G-MAC play, while Northwood falls to 4-11 overall and 2-5 in conference action.
 
Tiffin will look to stay hot on Saturday when the Dragons welcome Hillsdale to town for a 2 p.m. G-MAC matchup.