HIRAM, Ohio – January 18, 2022 – Hiram men's volleyball defeated Baldwin Wallace in their season opener in three-set fashion inside Price Gymnasium Tuesday night.

Early in the match, neither team pulled too far away from each other as the score remained tight early on. After an attack error from Baldwin Wallace, the Terriers took an 8-5 lead. A few moments later, Hiram ripped off a five-point run that included two Nathan Cassell service aces.

With the score now 14-8, the home team looked to hold the steady lead for the remainder of the set. While BW held around in the middle portion of the set, the comeback attempt wouldn't be enough. Cassell picked up a kill that gave the Terriers a 19-13 lead. The Yellow Jackets were able to make it 23-19, but Hiram held on winning set one, 25-20.

Baldwin Wallace came out hot in set two, taking a 6-3 lead. A four-point run capped off by a Kilvio Montero kill put Hiram back ahead at 7-6. After the start from BW, Hiram rebounded as the two teams traded points at a steady pace. With the score tied at 12, Hiram collected three of the next four points scooting ahead 16-13.

The Yellow Jackets tied the game back at 16, but the back half of the set was all Hiram. After a Cassell service ace, the Terriers got out in front 23-19, finishing with a kill from Montero to win the set at 25-22.

The third set started similarly to set two with the Yellow Jackets getting out in front at 7-3. Down 10-7, the Terriers fought back, claiming four of the next five points tying the set at 11. A mini three-point run from Hiram saw the home team take a 16-13 lead after a kill from Montero.

From there, both teams went back-and-forth before the Terriers took a 22-19 lead. With kills from Cassell and Montero, followed by an error from BW, Hiram won the third set 25-22 claiming the match in straight sets.

Montero led the squad with 14 and eight digs for the match. Dangelo Boehner picked up seven kills with Cassell getting six. Cassell, Cory Fischer and Ben Moseley each had seven digs. Freshman Matthew Albano led the team with 26 assists.

Hiram improves to 1-1 on the season and 1-0 in home matches. The win also marks the first victory for Glen Conley as the Hiram men's volleyball coach.

The team continues non-conference home play, facing Wittenberg next on Sunday, Jan. 23 at 1 p.m. inside Price Gymnasium.