By: Abbey Lipcsik

HIRAM, Ohio - The Hiram Volleyball team defeated the Geneva (Pa.) Golden Tornadoes in a four-set match on Thursday night. The final scores of each set were 25-18, 20-25, 25-20 and 25-21.

The Terriers are now 11-5 overall and 1-3 in the NCAC, while the Golden Tornadoes drop to 15-6, 10-1 PAC.

Senior Marissa Jay (Parma, Ohio/Padua Franciscan) led the Terrier offense with 22 kills on 74 attempts, while senior Laura Kelly (Massillon, Ohio/Jackson) had 10 kills and 16 digs.

Senior Claire Maier (Huntsville, Ohio/Indian Lake) dished out 44 assists to go with 12 digs and two kills.

On the defensive end, senior Megan Schaefer (Elyria, Ohio/ Elyria) recorded a team high 27 digs and Jay followed with 25.

The Terriers and Golden Tornadoes traded leads several times throughout the first set. But a last-minute offensive run gave Hiram the offensive momentum they needed to take the first set.

In the second set, Geneva (Pa.) obtained the momentum and started out with a 3-0 lead. Although the Terriers tried to make a comeback, the Golden Tornadoes maintained their lead and eventually tie the match 1-1.

The third set was just as tight as the first. Both teams were fighting for the lead, but a strong offensive performance by Hiram helped the Terriers win the set. Hiram had a .130 hitting percentage, while Geneva (Pa.) had a .022 percentage.  

The Hiram offense was the key component of the fourth set. The Terriers recorded 15 kills on 35 attempts with just four errors. The kills in combination with the strong back row performance by Hiram was what the Terriers needed to finish the Golden Tornadoes off and secure the win.

The Terriers registered 51 kills and a .145 hitting percentage over the course of the match, compared to 39 kills and a .103 mark for Geneva (Pa.).

Marissa Naples led the Geneva (Pa.) attack with 14 kills.

Hiram will have a quick turnaround and will host Denison and Pitt.- Greensburg (Pa.) in a tri-match on Saturday. The Terriers are scheduled to play at 1 and 5 p.m.