HIRAM, Ohio – November 12, 2026 – Hiram College women's volleyball earned redemption against Westminster College on Thursday night in the PAC tournament semifinals, sweeping the Titans after falling to them earlier in the regular season. The Terriers secured the victory by set scores of 25-21, 25-19 and 26-24.
The victory also marked the second consecutive season that Hiram has taken down Westminster in the PAC semifinals.
The Terriers dominant performance secured a spot in the PAC Championship match for the second time in as many years. Top-seeded Hiram will host No. 2 Chatham University on Saturday at 7 p.m. inside Price Gymnasium. The Terriers swept Chatham in three sets on September 19 to open conference play and will now face the Cougars once again in the final conference match of the season, this time with a championship on the line.Â
In front of an electric crowd with packed student sections representing each team on opposite ends of the bleachers, neither side could establish much separation early in the opening set. Westminster eventually gained some momentum, building a 16-12 advantage. However, Hiram quickly erased the deficit and rallied to take a 21-19 lead. The comeback was highlighted by Madison Dustman, who served as a catalyst for the Terriers throughout the opening set. Four of her seven kills came in the first set, while she also delivered two emphatic blocks to help Hiram build a 24-21 advantage. Dustman then put the finishing touches on the set with a kill to give the Terriers an early 1-0 lead.
The Terriers appeared to settle into the atmosphere and feed off the home crowd's energy in the second set, producing their most efficient offensive performance of the match. This time, Megan Chiang led the charge, recording eight of Hiram's 18 kills in the set. The Terriers jumped out to a 14-8 advantage before Westminster battled back to even the score at 16-16. Hiram responded with an impressive offensive stretch, recording five kills with just one attacking error after the Titans tied the set. The late surge allowed the Terriers to regain control and take a commanding two-set lead.
The third set lived up to the intensity of the matchup as momentum continued to swing back and forth. Neither team could maintain a comfortable advantage, with two and three-point leads quickly disappearing throughout the set. Hiram held a 13-10 advantage before Westminster responded to grab a 14-13 lead. A timely service ace from Jacey English later helped put the Terriers back in front by one.
Hiram eventually extended its lead to 21-16, but Westminster refused to go away, mounting a late rally to take a 24-23 advantage. With the Terriers facing set point, Maggie Riley delivered a clutch kill down the line to even the score and keep Hiram's championship hopes alive. Erin Winfield then came up with a crucial block to help seal the thrilling 26-24 victory and send the Terriers back to the PAC Championship match.
Chiang continued her impressive postseason run, leading all players with 18 kills on a .326 hitting percentage. She also anchored the defensive effort with a team-high 22 digs.
Hiram will turn its attention to Saturday's PAC Championship match, where the top-seeded Terriers will host No. 2 Chatham University at 7 p.m. inside Price Gymnasium.
