HIRAM, Ohio - September 28, 2024 - Hiram put on a show as part of its tri-match on Saturday, as the team won its conference opener over Wooster in four sets and nearly came back from two sets down in a five-set loss to Allegheny inside Price Gymnasium.
The victory in the morning match earned the Terriers a 1-0 start to its final season in NCAC play, while the tight defeat came against a team that is now riding a 10-match winning streak atop Hiram's future conference, the PAC.
Match 1 Recap
Hiram College kicked off their conference season with a commanding 3-1 victory over Wooster in front of a lively home crowd.
After a tough 28-26 loss in a first set that lasted nearly 40 minutes, Hiram quickly found its footing in the second, dominating with a 25-14 win. The team carried that momentum into the third and fourth sets, clinching the match with scores of 25-19 and 25-11.
Senior Andrya Hanmore was a key student-athlete throughout, leading the Terriers with 11 kills and a match-high .400 hitting percentage, while Cate Maguire also contributed 11 kills, along with two blocks. Hiram's offensive balance, combined with strong serving, allowed them to control the pace of the match after the first set.
Match 2 Recap
In its next match, Hiram took on Allegheny in a nail-biting, five-set battle but ultimately fell short. After dropping the first two sets 25-20 and 25-23, the Terriers mounted an impressive comeback, winning the third set decisively, 25-16, and edging out the fourth set, 25-22.
Maguire was again a centerpiece of the Hiram offense, leading the charge with 12 kills. Kelly Hoffman was a consistent distributor, posting a career-high 31 assists as the team's starting setter.
The Terriers displayed grit and determination, going on multiple scoring runs to put pressure on Allegheny, most notably a 16-7 run to start the third set and a 9-4 run to open the fourth set. However, despite leveling the match at two sets apiece, Hiram faltered in the final set, losing 15-9.
What's Next
Next on the agenda for Hiram women's volleyball is a road conference matchup against Denison University on Saturday, October 5 at 1 p.m. from Livingston Gymnasium in Granville, Ohio.
