HANOVER, Ind. – The Panthers welcomed rival Franklin for the 19^th annual Golden Ball Game that saw Hanover reign victories in a five set thriller 3-2 (22-25, 28-26, 25-18, 24-26, 15-11).
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Two Panthers recorded 20 plus kills with sophomore Abbey McCoy (Indianapolis, Ind.) pacing the way. McCoy recorded 21 kills for an impressive .383 hitting percentage and 19 digs. Junior Elliot Mays (Jeffersonville, Ind.) added 20 kills.
 
Sophomore Megan Vogel (North Vernon, Ind.) served up 23 assists with 16 digs. Her teammate, senior Maggie Schweitzer (Shelbyville, Ind.) tied a team-high 23 assists.
 
PLAY-BY-PLAY
The contest had everything you would want in a rival as Franklin showed up ready for battle. They dominated much of the first set surging ahead 6-0 when McCoy halted the attack from the service line. She claimed an ace that cut the difference to 17-16. Hanover captured the lead off a Mays kill, 19-18. However, the Grizzlies rattled off the final four points for the 25-22 win.
 
Set two saw the Panthers pounce capturing the 7-3 lead following a Vogel ace. The momentum shifted slightly in favor of the Blue and Red as a McCoy killed propelled them in front 14-10. The two teams became locked in a battle as the attack of McCoy tied the game 24-24. Hanover claimed the set after a Franklin miscue, 28-26.
 
Hanover was able to claim the 2-1 advantage after winning set three 25-18. Much like the first two sets, Hanover became engaged in a battle. They slowly pulled away midway through after a 4-0 rally pushed them on top 12-9. Maggie Schweitzer picked apart the Franklin defense helping extend the lead. The rest was history as Hanover won 25-18.
 
After surrendering set four, Collier Arena became electric. In a very chippy affair, McCoy silenced the Grizzlies with back-to-back aces, 8-4. But Franklin recomposed and cut the deficit to 10-9 when Mays called game.
 
Hanover returns to action on Wednesday, Oct. 30 when they travel to Mount St. Joseph. Game time is set for 7:00 PM.