ADRIAN, Michigan – September 20, 2024 - In a thrilling, five-set match, Hiram College battled fiercely but ultimately fell to Adrian College on the road in five sets: 25-13, 20-25, 25-19, 24-26, 17-15.

The Terriers played their best volleyball when their backs were against the wall, as they were two points away from losing the match in the fourth set before Sydney Wenzel recorded a pair of kills to give the team a 26-24 win and force a decisive fifth set.

Adrian responded by scoring the first five points in the fifth set, a rally that eventually carried it to the finish line. Hiram rattled off four straight points later in the set – including four points on the serve of Tori Burdette – but the Bulldogs protected their home court and won the match.

Hiram also displayed its resilience earlier in the match, particularly in the second set, when it bounced back from a slow start with a 25-20 win. The team's .289 hitting percentage during that span was its best mark in any set. Emily Richardson had five kills in the set to level the match at one set apiece.

Adrian won the first, third and fifth sets behind the play of Amber Morris, who had 27 kills to lead all student-athletes. Mya Minjares also had a game-high 38 digs to lead the Bulldogs defense.

For Hiram, Wenzel led the charge throughout the match, racking up a career-high 18 kills while adding 24 digs to her defensive stats, proving to be a key two-way player. Richardson also played a key role in the matchup with 11 kills, keeping the team competitive in pivotal moments. Kelly Hoffman's all-around play, contributing 20 assists and 15 digs, was also crucial in keeping the offense moving in the right direction.

While Adrian edged out the 3-2 win, Hiram demonstrated that it can go head-to-head with tough opponents on the road. With performances like this, the Terriers are poised for more success as they move on to their next competition, which will be the Alma College Scots on Saturday at 11 a.m.