HANOVER, Ind. – The Panthers posted a perfect 3-0 overall record as part of the Hanover Invitational, defeating Trine in straight sets (25-22, 25-20, 25-23) and Adrian 3-1 (25-22, 21-25, 25-23, 25-17).

The Blue and Red (8-3 overall) were led on the weekend by freshman Adrianne Vance (Indianapolis, Ind.) with a team-high 27 kills, averaging 2.70 kills per set. Vance finished the invitational hitting .185 with three blocks. Senior Ally Williams (Fountaintown, Ind.) also posted a strong performance as she tallied a team-high 47 digs, averaging 4.70 per set.

In the morning session with Trine, the Thunder rolled ahead 9-4 in set one before a kill by senior Carlie Burson (Corydon, Ind.) halted the surge. The Panthers slowly began to chip at the Trine lead as a four-point rally led by kills from Vance and sophomore Maddie Edwards (jasper, Ind.) knotted the contest at 20-20. The final five points would be a battle as neither team budged, however the attack of the Panthers prevailed as Burson sealed the set one victory.

Hanover carried the momentum into set two as they rattled off five straight points to jump out to the 15-9 advantage. But the Thunder continued to battle as they used a five-point rally to cut the deficit to 16-14. The Blue and Red deemed clutch once more as a kill by sophomore Emma Rolf (Lebanon, Ind.) and a Trine error extended the HC lead to two sets.

In the matches final set, the two teams exchanged points for several serves before a sophomore Bailey Eveland (Plymouth, Ind.) service ace put the Blue and Red on top 22-21. Vance would conclude the contest for the Panthers as she connected for one of her 27 kills en route to the teams straight set victory.

The night cap with Adrian deemed a little closer for the Panthers as set one was a story of runs. Hanover used a five-point rally early to push the lead to 12-6 before the Bulldogs responded cutting the deficit to 12-11. Hanover remained poise as back-to-back kills by Burson and Rolf sealed the set one victory.

After dropping set two, sophomore Kelsey Ketcham (Mishawaka, Ind.) helped the Panthers set the tone early as a kill gave HC the 3-0 advantage. With the momentum at hand Hanover continued to dominate as a four-point surge pushed the lead to 22-17. Burson delivered the sets final blow to give HC the 2-1 set lead.

In the game's final set, a kill by Rolf and a Bulldog miscue gave the Panthers its largest lead of the contest 21-12. Adrian looked to counter but the Blue and Red deemed to much as the Panthers went on to claim the final set 25-17.

Hanover returns to action on Friday, September 20 as they take on Spalding. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m.