LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Hanover volleyball team stepped out of conference play and won a pair of non-conference matches over Blackburn and Spalding Monday night. 

The Panthers, which have now won eight straight, opened the night with a 3-0 win over Blackburn, and then defeated the host, Spalding, 3-0 in the night-cap to give them six 3-0 wins during their eight-match winning streak. 

The night started well as Hanover hit .312 against the Beavers (7-17) to win 25-15, 25-23, and 25-13. Fresh off being named the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week, junior Margo Main (Ann Arbor, Mich.) recorded her 11th match of the year with at least 10 kills as she finished with a match-high 14 with a .300 hitting percentage.

Four other players had at least five kills including junior Kristin Goben (Finchville, Ky.), who finished with six kills, 10 digs, and four service aces. Junior Haley Alexander (Martinsville, Ind.) had 22 assists, and senior Monique Huynh (Indianapolis, Ind.) posted a team-best 13 digs. 

The Panthers had little trouble with Spalding in the second match of the night. The Panthers won 25-11, 25-18, and 25-14 to complete the sweep and hit over .300 as a team for the third straight contest (.310). Hanover also limited the Golden Eagles to .082 hitting percentage, which marks the third time in the last five matches an opponent has hit less than .100.

Goben and senior Emily Ertel (North Vernon, Ind.) led the team with nine and eight kills respectively. Junior Abby Crump (Indianapolis, Ind.) tallied match-highs with 15 assists and three service aces, to go along with seven digs. 

Hanover will return to HCAC action Wednesday, Oct. 18 against Earlham. Start time is set for 7 p.m. in Collier Arena in Hanover, Ind. 

Contact: Mike Pritchard

pritchard@hanover.edu