NORTH MANCHESTER, Ind. – The Hanover volleyball team took to the road on Saturday afternoon sweeping a double header with the Spartans of Manchester. The Panthers claimed match one in straight sets (25-14, 25-20, 25-11) before taking match two (25-20, 25-14, 25-20).
 
Match one saw the Panthers dominate early as an 8-0 run to open the contest pushed HC out in front 15-1. The domination continued for Hanover as a trio of kills by sophomore Emma Harmon (Carmel, Ind. / Carmel) extended the Panthers advantage to 23-10. She closed out the set for the Blue and Red with a another kill that secured the set one, 25-14, victory.
 
The Panther offense jumped out the gate quickly in set two rattling off a 6-1 run paced by junior Emma Rolf (Lebanon, Ind. / Western Boone) from behind the service line. However, the Spartans battled tough claiming their first lead of the afternoon at 13-12 sparking a Hanover timeout. The timeout appeared to be just what was needed as the Panther's registered another short spurt that saw them reclaim the 16-13 lead. The Panthers never looked back as a series of Manchester miscues propelled Hanover to the set two win, 25-20.
 
The final set of the opening match would see Hanover score early and often. After a series of unfortunate miscues for Manchester, Hanover recorded a kill from Harmon that sparked a 7-0 run giving HC the 20-8 advantage. They would secure the set minutes later as a junior Maddie Edwards (jasper, Ind. / Jasper) kill followed by a sophomore Meredith Deckard (Bedford, Ind. / North Lawrence) service ace sent them to victory.
 
Match two was a back-and-forth battle early when a junior Emma McPeek (North Vernon, Ind. / Jennings County) service ace put Hanover on top 10-7. The offensive explosion continued as the Blue and Red tallied four straight points following a kill by freshman Ella Reed (Lexington, Ky. / Lafayette Sr.) that pushed the difference to 14-9. Hanover never looked back as another Manchester error secured the set one, 25-20 victory.
 
Neither team could find ground in set two as a Spartan kill knotted the contest at 8-8. However, the Panther attack went to work as a series of runs led by Deckard pushed HC out in front 23-12. They went on to claim the set 25-14.
 
The final stanza of the afternoon would see Manchester claim a lead at 9-8 but the excitement didn't last long as freshman Casey Dunn (Fort Thomas, Ky. / Highlands) delivered the blows from behind the service line that propelled the Panthers to the weekend sweep.
 
Hanover returns to action on Tuesday, February 2 when they welcome Transylvania to Collier Arena. First serve is set for 6:00 PM.