FRANKLIN, Ind. – Sophomore Emma Harmon (Carmel, Ind.) paced the attack for Hanover with a team-high 11 kills as the Panthers fell in straight sets (25-16, 25-20, 25-23) Wednesday afternoon to Franklin. Hanover moves to 9-5 overall, 4-4 in HCAC action.
 
After surrendering the opening set 25-16, the Panthers looked to rally in set two. They found themselves on the wrong end of a 6-2 deficit when a kill by sophomore Adrianne Vance (Indianapolis, Ind.) pulled Hanover within 8-6. The Panthers continued on the attack as a junior Kelsey Ketcham (Mishawaka, Ind.) kill followed by a Franklin miscue saw the difference dwindle to one point.
 
But the Grizzlies staged a run that saw them push the score to 15-8. However, Hanover refused to give up as freshman Aubrey Walton (Linton, Ind.) delivered a service ace that Harmon followed with a kill, knotting the score at 18-18. But Franklin got the final say in the set using a 5-0 run to claim the 25-20 set two victory.
 
The final stanza of the afternoon saw the Panthers once again in an early deficit when a 4-0 run led by Vance from behind the service line pulled the Blue and Red back within 10-7. They continued to chip at the Grizzlies advantage when a Harmon kill tied the set at 17-17. Hanover claimed the lead moments later off a sophomore Josie McClara (Jamestown, Ind.) kill. But the excitement wouldn't last long as Franklin delivered the final blow of the afternoon for the straight set win.
 
With the win, the Grizzlies snap a nine-game losing streak against the Panthers.
 
Hanover returns to action on Saturday, Feb. 20 when they wrap up regular season action at Anderson. First serve is set for 5:00 PM.