HIRAM, Ohio – October 29, 2024 – The Hiram women's volleyball team clinched a spot in the NCAC Tournament with a straight-set win over Oberlin on Tuesday evening at Philips Gymnasium: 25-16, 25-22, 25-21.

The convincing victory gave the Terriers an NCAC Tournament berth for the 24^th straight season; the program has not missed the tournament since 1999.

The match was one of Hiram's best of the 2024 season, as it recorded a better hitting percentage than its opposition in each of the three sets played. The Terriers finished stronger than ever, too, recording 13 kills and just three attack errors in the final set alone.

The balance of the road team's roster continued to be a focal point, with six different student-athletes recording at least three kills: Andrya Hanmore (nine), Emily Richardson (seven), Cate Maguire (five), Kayla Franks (four), Brooke Norris (four) and Samantha Telisman (three). Kelly Hoffman and Brooke Fishback each had 14 assists, while Sophia Grdina, Madison Russell and Norris each had double-digit totals in digs. The defense was also evident in the difference in total blocks (Hiram 7, Oberlin 2), with Telisman recording a career-high four blocks on the evening.

Franks and Hanmore helped fuel a 5-0 rally and 10-4 lead in the first set, combining to tally three straight kills during that span. Hanmore eventually finished the set with five kills and Hiram withstood a 6-0 Yeowomen rally to take the one-set advantage.

Hanmore was again part of a critical run in the second set, as Oberlin took a 5-2 lead before Hanmore recorded kills on two of the next five points to give her team a 7-5 lead. The Terriers later trailed, 19-17, but Maguire, Norris and Richardson spearheaded the offense and gave their team a 25-22 win in set two.

The exclamation mark in the third set came after the Terriers faced a 9-4 deficit, with Oberlin's Cami Sweet adding to her nine total kills in the match to give the home team some life. Hiram responded by winning eight of the next nine points and finished the match by winning six of the last seven points.

Richardson and Maguire each had three kills in the third set alone, adding to their illustrious careers in the blue and red. Maguire now has 209 kills this season and 620 in her career, while Richardson has marks of 176 kills this season and 829 for her career.

Hiram will play its final conference match of the season on Saturday, when it travels to Delaware, Ohio for a clash with Ohio Wesleyan at 1 p.m. inside Branch Rickey Arena. A victory on Saturday would put Hiram in prime position to host their quarterfinal matchup in the NCAC Tournament for the following Tuesday, November 12.