DELAWARE, Ohio – The Hanover volleyball team opened tournament play at the Bishop Invitational Friday night, falling to the host institution, Ohio Wesleyan, in four sets (25-19, 23-25, 26-24, 25-18).

A pair of Panthers finished the match with double-digit kills, led by junior Madie Snyder (Boonville, Ind.) with 11. Snyder also added three assisted blocks. Sophomore Blaise Chaney (Mason, Ohio) hit a team-high .421 as she posted 10 kills.

Freshman Kelsey Ketcham (Mishawaka, Ind.) pitched in with eight kills, 14 assists and 10 digs for her sixth double-double of the season. Junior Ally Williams (Fountaintown, Ind.) posted a team-high 19 digs, while senior Abby Crump (Indianapolis, Ind.) logged a team-best 17 assists.

Hanover (5-4) recorded its second lowest hitting percentage of the season, .116, but did record 10 total blocks defensively. Leading the charge up front was senior Claire Dennis (Bloomington, Ind.), who had seven assisted blocks. Freshman Maddie Edwards (Jasper, Ind.) helped on three blocks as well.

The first set was competitive throughout, as the two sides traded points to result in a 15-15 stalemate. The Battling Bishops (4-6) though, rattled off four straight points to take control of the frame. Ohio Wesleyan would hold on late, winning 25-19.

The Panthers then found themselves on the wrong end of a 5-0 run to start the second set before eventually falling behind by seven at 9-2. Hanover continued to fight back in the set, as three consecutive OWU errors tied the frame at 18-all. The Blue and Red rallied for three of the final four set points, highlighted by a kill from Emma Rolf (Lebanon, Ind.), to tie the match at one set apiece.

Hanover opened the third set strong, scoring four of the first five points. Combining the end of the second set and beginning of the third, HC notched a 7-2 scoring spurt. The Panthers led for much of the set, including a 24-22 advantage late. Ohio Wesleyan though, snatched the final four points to win 26-24, taking a 2-1 edge in the overall match.

The Battling Bishops rode the momentum from their rally in the third set, taking control early of the fourth frame. Hanover attempted a late comeback, scoring four of the final five points, but OWU closed the door with a kill to finish off the match at 25-18.

The Panthers will close out the Bishop Invitational with a pair of matches against Trine (Ind.) and Grove City (Pa.) Saturday, Sept. 15. Hanover and Trine open the day with an 11 a.m. start.

Contact: Tyler Jester

jestert@hanover.edu