GAMBIER, Ohio - October 18, 2023 - Hiram rallied back from a 1-0 and 2-1 deficit on Wednesday evening at Tomsich Arena, piecing together a dominant fourth set and hanging on in the fifth set for a critical conference victory over Kenyon: 21-25, 25-22, 20-25, 25-14, 15-13.
The Terriers trailed 6-5 in the fourth set before finding a rhythm that would propel them to victory. The team outscored its opposition, 20-8, for the remainder of the set and then scored the first seven points of the decisive fifth set. Kenyon would eventually regain momentum and tie the game, 13-13, but Hiram scored the final two points to lock up the win.
Head coach Brittany Dye and company improved to 2-2 in NCAC matches this season, with three more conference games remaining on the schedule. As things currently stand, Hiram is in sixth place in the NCAC standings, which would currently put it in the NCAC Tournament if the season ended on Wednesday.
The balance of the team shone through once again, with Cate Maguire (16 kills), Emily Richardson (12) and Claire Brunner (8) doing most of the team's attacking. Brooke Norris added 15 digs and 3 service aces, while Erin Burke and Brooke Fishback each had 18 assists. On the defensive side, Richardson had 8 total blocks to give her consecutive games with 8+ total blocks.
Hiram played its best when it needed it the most, taking a lead as large as 11 points in the second set after falling short in the first set. Kenyon would save seven straight set points, but the Terriers won the second set on an attack error to level the match at one set apiece.
The Owls bounced back in the third set of the seesaw affair, as a 5-1 run finished the set and provided the home team with a 2-1 advantage.
Hiram then delivered with its back against the wall.
The Terriers went on an 8-1 run after facing a 6-5 deficit in the fourth set, taking control of the match and shifting the momentum once again. A 6-0 run later in the set – with 5 points coming on the serve of Burke – would be enough to give the team enough cushion to level the match at two sets each.
Hiram came out firing to start the fifth set, scoring seven straight points to take a 7-0 lead in the first-to-15 set -- six of those points came on the serve of Andrya Hanmore. The Owls would win 13 of the next 19 points in the set before the Terriers stepped up and took a 14-13 lead on blocks by Kayla Franks and Richardson. Another attack error wrapped up the match in celebratory fashion for Hiram.
Next up is another road matchup against NCAC competition; the Terriers will head to Springfield, Ohio and take on the Wittenberg Tigers on Saturday at 1 p.m. inside Pam Evans Smith Arena.
