RICHMOND, Ind. – The Panthers claimed a split with Earlham on Wednesday evening, dropping the opener 3-1 (25-23, 17-25, 25-27, 20-25) before claiming match two in straight sets (25-22, 25-13, 25-19).
 
In match one, junior Maddie Edwards (Jasper, Ind.) led the way for the Panthers with a team-high 12 kills, while junior Kelsey Ketcham (Mishawaka, Ind.) and senior Amber Miller (Louisville, Ky.) dished out 12 assists apiece.
 
Set one would see Hanover surge ahead early as a Ketcham kill gave HC the 3-1 advantage. However, Earlham tied the set moments later following a Panther hiccup, but sophomore Josie McClara (Jamestown, Ind.) had other things in mind as she led a Hanover 5-0 run that pushed the difference to 14-9. The Blue and Red never looked back as another Edwards' kill and a Quaker miscue secured the set, 25-23.
 
Earlham responded in set two using an 8-0 run to capture the 16-9 advantage. Hanover chipped at the difference as back-to-back kills by junior Emma Rolf (Lebanon, Ind.) and Edwards saw HC pull within 19-14. However, it wasn't enough as a Quaker kill secured the match tying set, 25-17.
 
Hanover and Earlham exchanged points for much of set three before Miller rattled off five straight points from behind the service line to give the Panthers the 10-6 lead. The excitement wouldn't last long as the Quakers strung together a run that flipped the script in their favor, 14-11. However, the Panthers refused to go away getting kills from Ketcham and sophomore Emma Harmon (Carmel, Ind.) that knotted the set at 23-23. Earlham was able to combat the charge and tally the final two points for the 2-1 set advantage.
 
The Quakers would go on to claim the final set of the match using a series of runs that pushed the contest out of reach for the Blue and Red. Hanover tallied 10 kills in the final set, while Earlham tallied 13.  
 
Match two was paced by sophomore Adrianne Vance (Indianapolis, Ind.) with a team-high 10 kills, while freshman Ella Reed (Lexington, Ky.) tallied eight kills for the Panthers.
 
After trailing 11-6, Hanover rallied chipping at the deficit before over taking the Quakers off a Miller service ace. They held the lead for the remainder of the set collecting the last two points for the 25-24 win.
 
Set two saw the Panthers string together a series of runs, including a 5-0 spurt that was paced by Ketcham to put Hanover on top 13-5. The Blue and Red continued on the attack as junior Emma McPeek (North Vernon, Ind.) found success from behind the service line to secure the 2-0 advantage.
 
The final set of the evening found Hanover trailing early before a series of rallies propelled them in front 13-9. Miller led another late surge that extended the HC advantage to 18-11. Junior Maura Dankoski (Fishers, Ind.) secured the match victory as she landed the final kill of the series for the victory.
 
The Panthers return to action on Saturday, February 13 when they welcome Rose-Hulman to Collier Arena. First serve is scheduled for 5:00 PM.