ADA, Ohio – The Hanover Panthers traveled north for the weekend competing as part of the Ohio Northern Invitational. Day one saw the Blue and Red fall to no. 14 ranked ONU, 0-3 (25-18, 25-14, 25-18) and drop a hard fought 3-1 (24-26, 25-15, 19-25, 23-25) battle with Denison.
 
Match 1 – Ohio Northern
The Panthers were paced in the contest by junior Emma Harmon (Carmel, Ind.) with a team-high seven kills, while teammate senior Maddie Edwards (Jasper, Ind.) added six kills. Senior senior Kelsey Ketcham (Mishawaka, Ind.) added a team-best 15 assists.
 
The opening set would see the Polar Bears surge ahead early before an Edwards kill halted the attack cutting the difference to 10-5. The Blue and Red looked to keep it rolling as back-to-back kills by senior Maura Dankoski (Fishers, Ind.) and junior Adrianne Vance (Indianapolis, Ind.) paced a small run. Vance looked to lead a late rally from behind the service line but fell unsuccessfully as ONU took set one, 25-18.
 
Set two saw an early back an forth battle before ONU rattled off four straight points to claim the  7-2 advantage. However, Hanover continued on the attack as a Harmon kill cut the deficit to 10-6. But another late run by the Polar Bears deemed to much as they took the set 25-14.
 
The final set would see the contest locked at 4-4 following an Edwards kill off an assist by Ketcham. The excitement wouldn't last long as ONU strung together six straight points to claim the convincing 17-10 lead. They would go on to capture the set 25-18.
 
Match 2 – Denison
 
Hanover was paced by Vance with a team-high 11 kills while Harmon added 10 double digit strikes.
 
Set one would see HC capture the 6-2 lead behind the service of sophomore Casey Dunn (Fort Thomas, Ky.). The excitement continued as back-to-back kills from Vance and Harmon pushed the difference to 10-6. But the Big Red hung around scoring four straight points to knot the score. They carried the momentum late into the set securing the 26-24 win.
 
Hanover wasted little time in set two using an eight-point outburst paced by Harmon to claim the 10-3 lead. The Panthers never looked back as a series of kills by Harmon blew the set wide open, 23-13. The final dagger came from Edwards en route to the 25-15 game tying victory.
 
However, set three would see the Big Red rally to tie the contest at 14-14. Despite an aggressive Panther attack the Blue and Red were unable to hold on as Denison jumped out in front 25-19.
 
The final set saw a competitive battle with neither team gaining an edge until a four-point Panther rally led by sophomore Aubrey Walton (Linton, Ind.) sent HC out in front 12-10. Hanover continued on the attack as a Vance kill sparked another Blue and Red surge that saw them claim the 20-18 advantage. However, Denison responded capitalizing on a Panther miscue for the 25-23 victory.
 
The Panthers return to action on Saturday, Sept. 4 taking on Muskingum as part of the Ohio Northern Invitational. First serve is scheduled for 11:30 am.