Oct. 22 – HIRAM, Ohio – The Hiram College volleyball team fell at home for the first time this season, dropping a 3-1 decision to visiting Ohio Wesleyan University on Saturday afternoon.

The Battling Bishops (16-10, 5-3 NCAC), took control of the match, upending the Terriers (14-7, 3-4 NCAC) in both sets one and two. OWU never trailed in the first set, earning a 25-19 win in the opening game. They then went on to take set two by a 25-16 score to jump out to the 2-0 lead.

The Terriers stormed back in set three, jumping out to a 6-2 lead in the early stages. Junior Jessica Fontana provided the spark in the beginning, totaling three-straight kills.

Leading 12-7 midway through the game, the Terriers would see their lead dwindle, eventually finding themselves down 14-13 following a 7-1 run by the visitors.

From there, the set would see four ties, the last coming at 19-19. Another kill by Fontana, coupled with an attack error by the Bishops, gave the Terriers a lead they would not relinquish. The final kill was registered by Grace Wilson, giving Hiram the game, 25-23.

The hosts rode the momentum of the third-set victory into a 9-3 advantage in set number four. However, OWU would have the answer, going on an 11-4 run to take the one-point lead, 14-13, midway through the decisive set. The Terriers would never again regain the lead, falling in the game, 25-20, and the match, 3-1.

 The loss for Hiram marks just their first of the season in Price Gymnasium, as the Terriers had entered the game with an unblemished mark (7-0) at home. It marks just the second defeat at home for Hiram in the last two seasons of Aline Scott's tenure (17-2).

Offensively, Hiram was led by Fontana, who posted her second double-digit kill performance of the season. The junior totaled 11 on the day, while hitting a team-best .409. Senior Laura Kelly added 14 kills in the match, while senior Marissa Jay put together her seventh-straight double-double (16 kills/11 digs).

Jay is on a torrid pace in the final month of her collegiate career. Since the calendar flipped to October, the senior outside hitter is averaging 21.7 kills and 16 digs per match.

Senior Claire Maier also tallied a double-double in the match, dishing out 41 assists to go alongside 11 digs. Defensively, senior Megan Schaefer led the team with 17 digs, followed by 13 from Kelly. Kelly's dig total gave her seven double-doubles on the season.

The Terriers will finish NCAC play on Wednesday, October 26, when they play host to Allegheny College. The matchup, which will also serve as senior day for Hiram, is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start.