LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Hanover College Panthers dropped a tough Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference matchup with No. 21-ranked Transylvania on Wednesday evening, 3-1 (16-25, 23-25, 25-23, 21-25).

The Panthers (13-8 overall, 2-1 HCAC) were led in the contest by sophomore Emma Rolf (Lebanon, Ind.) and freshman Adrianne Vance (Indianapolis, Ind) with double digit kills, while senior Ally Williams (Fountiantown, Ind.) posted 26 digs.

After dropping set one 25-16, the Panthers battled back in set two erasing a deficit of 11-6. Vance led the rally with back-to-back kills giving HC the 17-16 lead. The Panthers continued to battle tough as a pair of Pioneer miscues put HC on top 20-19. However, Transylvania remained poise and defeated Hanover 25-23 for the two-set lead.

In set three, the two teams battled back and forth early before three straight Pioneer mistakes put Hanover on top 13-10. They continued to battle as Rolf and sophomore Maddie Edwards (Jasper, Ind.) hit kills that pushed the advantage to 15-12. Transylvania tried to battle back in the set cutting the Panther lead to 23-22 before the Blue and Red rattled off the final two points for the 25-23 victory.

Transylvania would surge ahead early in set four taking the 11-6 lead before a service error broke the rally. The Pioneers continued to battle as they used a series of runs to secure the 25-21 victory.

Hanover returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 19 when they take on Bluffton. Game time is set for 2:00 P.M.