HIRAM, Ohio – September 8, 2021 – Hiram women's volleyball defeated the John Carroll Blue Streaks 3-0 on Wednesday, notching the first home win of the season for the Terriers.
A back and forth affair ensued to start the night in the first set between both squads. After trading points early in the set, John Carroll took a one-point advantage at 11-10 after a Brooke Hjerpe kill. Hiram responded with a quick four point run, marking the score at 14-11. The Terriers slight lead continued through the mid-teens before JCU tied it at 17. A strong effort by the home side would bring the Terriers over the top closing out the set. Freshman
Miya Gotto proved to be a spark plug off the bench for Hiram. After the Coventry Township, Ohio native checked into the match, the home side went on a five point run that included a service ace from Gotto and a 25-18 first set victory.
In set two, Hiram saw another big scoring run give them a slight lead. The Terriers racked up seven straight points capped off by an
Alex Fisher kill giving them a 12-8 lead. JCU cut the lead to 13-10, but Hiram went on a five point run that included two
Emily Richardson kills. The Blue Streaks took back a couple of points, but the attempt wasn't enough as Hiram won set two 25-17.
Set three was a nail biter almost all the way to the finish line with both teams exchanging points in the middle portion of the set. A Richardson kill pushed the early Hiram lead to 7-2, but JCU stormed back. The road team went on their biggest run of the night scoring six straight times. With the match tied at 18, Hiram looked to close out the match with a five point run with the score 23-18. Fisher recorded a block, with a set error by JCU closing out the match with a 25-21 third set victory for Hiram.
Graduate student
Kayla Cole became just the 14th student-athlete in program history to notch 1,000-career digs. Three different Terriers crossed the double digit mark in digs during this match.
Mackenzie Brannon had a team high 16,
Mary Landis had 11 and
Kiara Franks had ten.
Richardson posted ten kills for the second straight match, with Franks coming up right behind her at eight.
Emily Chrustic had 12 assists.
With the win the Terriers improve to 5-1 on the season with their first victory inside Price Gymnasium. All five of Hiram's wins have come in 3-0 fashion.
The team next is competing in the MIAA/NCAC Crossover Challenge on Friday, Sept. 10 and 11. The tournament takes place at Cedar Point Sports Center and has Hiram playing three games over two days against Alma, Adrian and Trine.
