WASHINGTON, Pennsylvania - September 6, 2024 - Hiram posted a convincing victory over a future PAC opponent on Friday evening, taking care of business in three sets against Washington & Jefferson at the Salvitti Family Gymnasium.

It's a key win for the Terriers, who were seeking their first victory since knocking out Penn State Behrend in three sets to open the Cedar Point Invitational on August 30.

Cate Maguire was up for the challenge in achieving that task, as she recorded a season-high 15 kills: five in the first set, four in the second set and six in the third set. It also marked her most career kills in a three-set match.

Right behind Maguire was Emily Richardson with double-digit kills (10) for the third time this year, while Brooke Fishback had 19 assists and Kelly Hoffman had 15 digs. Richardson also added four total blocks to fill out the stat sheet.

Hiram had everything clicking in the first set, as its .316 hitting percentage (14 kills, two attack errors, 38 total attacks) was the highest mark by either team in any set. W&J scored nine of the first 12 points before the Terriers found their groove behind five different student-athletes picking up at least one kill.

The pendulum of momentum swung back to the Presidents in the second set, as the home team went on an 8-1 run to get the Washington, PA crowd going. Hiram recovered, though, thanks to a 5-0 run of its own and eventually three straight points to end the set after trailing, 26-25.

It was a much more conventional third set for Hiram, as it rode the hot hand of Maguire to close out the match. At one point, the Terriers won eight of nine points in the set to catapult it to a 25-19 win.

Hiram will continue competition against PAC opponents on Tuesday, when it hosts its first match of the season against Thiel at 7 p.m. from Price Gymnasium in Hiram, Ohio.