Oct. 8 – HIRAM, Ohio – The Hiram College volleyball program ran their home record to 7-0 as they earned a pair of victories in a tri-match with Denison University and Pitt-Greensburg on Saturday afternoon. The Terriers took care of the Big Red, 3-1, in North Coast Athletic Conference action, before upending the Bobcats in straight sets.

Hiram (13-5, 2-3 NCAC) earned a hard-fought, four-set victory over Denison in the first match of the day. After dropping the first set, 25-17, Hiram came back to sweep the next three by scores of 25-19, 25-23 and 25-19.

In the second set, Hiram ran out to a 10-5 advantage early on in the game, including a pair of kills from Mary Williams. The Terriers would use that early lead to keep the Big Red at bay, expanding the difference to as many as nine (21-12) after three-consecutive service aces by senior Marissa Jay. Hiram would go on to take the set 25-19.

The third set between the NCAC rivals was the most closely contested. Despite opening a nine-point advantage (18-9) early, the Terriers found themselves leading by just one (23-22) in the late stages. However, a pair of Jay kills put the third set away, 25-23, giving the Terriers the 2-1 advantage.

The decisive fourth set was also controlled by Hiram as the Terriers took advantage of Denison errors to open a seven-point lead (13-6) midway through the set. From there, the hosts would keep their conference counterparts at bay, not allowing Denison closer than three points as they captured the set 25-19, and the match 3-1.

Offensively, Jay led the way for the Terriers in the match, totaling a double-double in the win. She finished with 17 kills and a trio of service aces, both of which led the team. She also added 14 digs to her totals, posting her tenth double-double of the year.

Other offensive leaders in the match included Williams, Fontana and Grace Wilson, who each finished with seven kills. Setter Claire Maier finished the game with 32 assists, while also adding six kills on the day.

Defensively, the Terriers totaled 67 digs in the four-set match, including a team-high 19 by Megan Schaefer. Laura Kelly tallied 15 to go along with Jay's 14.

Hiram continued their dominance in the night cap of the tri-match, upending Pitt-Greensburg in straight sets (25-16, 25-23, 25-10).

Jay once again led the way, hitting .406 while posting her second double-double of the day. The senior tallied 17 kills and 13 digs. Hiram also showed balance in the win, getting at least four kills from six different players.

Wilson totaled six kills, as did Fontana. Kelly tallied five in the win, while Maier and Williams added four, each. Maier also orchestrated the offense well, posting 40 assists.

Jay led the defensive efforts with her 13 digs, while Schaefer finished with 11 on the day. Kelly also added seven.

Price Gymnasium continues to be a place of good fortunes for the Terriers under head coach Aline Scott. In her two seasons, Hiram has posted a 17-2 record in the friendly confines of home, including a 7-0 record this season.

The Terriers will be back in action on Wednesday, October 12 as they travel to Cleveland, Ohio for a non-conference matchup with Case Western Reserve University. The match with the Spartans is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start.