GAMBIER, Ohio – October 16, 2021 – Hiram women's volleyball defeated Kenyon, 3-1, in a road North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) match claiming their second conference win of the season.
The match started with a back-and-forth affair that saw both teams keeping it tight early. With the match tied at 12, Kenyon scored five of the next six points taking a 17-13 lead. The Terriers stormed back late getting a big scoring run that was capped by a Kenyon attack error making it 22-21 Hiram. Set number one would be decided past 25 points as the home side rattled off three points in a row winning 27-25.
Set two began similarly to set one with neither team being able to pull away early. Hiram's breakthrough occurred in the middle portion of the set with two big runs.
Kayla Cole picked up a kill giving the Terriers a 13-10 lead. A six-point run ensued for the Terriers with
Emily Chrustic getting two service aces. Hiram scored the final four points of the set that included two
Kiara Franks kills.
The Terriers earned the first five points of the third set as they got out ahead and didn't look back. A series of four-point runs gave Hiram some breathing room. An attack error from Kenyon capped the second of the four-point runs with the road side controlling a 16-9 lead. Kenyon ended set three with a viable comeback attempt cutting the lead to 21-19. The rally from the home side wouldn't be enough, however, as Hiram won set three, 25-19.
In the fourth and final set, the Terriers again got ahead early. Hiram opened set four up 7-2 after a
Madison Burns kill. The road side again continued to pull away in the middle portion of the set going up 15-7 after an
Emily Richardson kill. The lead was extended to 21-11 with a Franks kill. Kenyon rallied late, but once again it wasn't enough as Hiram won set four 25-19.
With the victory, Hiram improves to 11-11 and 2-3 in NCAC play.
Offensively Cole and Franks led the charge with 15 and 11 kills. Chrustic led the team with 24 assists as
Mary Landis was right behind her with 18.
Mackenzie Brannon picked up the most digs for the match with 24. Cole was the other Terrier to reach the double-figure mark with 13.
Hiram continues NCAC play as they welcome Allegheny to Price Gymnasium on Tuesday, Oct. 19 with a 7 p.m. start time.
