HANOVER, Ind. – After a very sluggish start the Panthers (RV) (14-1 overall) were able to topple the Golden Eagles of Spalding 3-1 (26-28, 28-26, 25-16, 26-24).
 
The Panthers saw three individuals finish with double-digit kills led by junior Elliot Mays (Jeffersonville, Ind.) with 14 kills while Maddie Robertson added 13 kills. Senior Jessie Stenger (St. Leon, Ind.) recorded 11 kills. Sophomore Megan Vogel (North Vernon, Ind.) dished out an impressive 24 assists while teammate freshman Madison Schicker (Fishers, Ind.) collected 29 digs.
 
Hanover had difficulty finding the energy in the first set as the Golden Eagles brought a little more intensity than the Panthers expected. Spalding kept the set within one or two points when a 3-0 rally pushed them in front 22-21. However, Hanover refused to roll over tying the set 25-25. But Spalding got the final say as a Panther mishap pushed them to victory.
 
Much like the first set the two teams jockeyed for momentum when a five-point surge saw HC claim a 12-11 lead. Mays helped them reclaim the lead once more as the Golden Eagles continued to push the Panthers. However, Hanover refused to bend as Vogel connected for a service ace to knot the match 1-1.
 
The Blue and Red finally shook the rust off in the third set, using a 6-1 run en route to a 13-7 lead. Senior Maggie Schweitzer (Shelbyville, Ind.) dominated the service line scoring five straight points for a 23-11 advantage. Spalding made one final push before surrendering the go-ahead set, 2-1.
 
The Golden Eagles dominated the final set capturing a commanding 18-9 difference. However, with the home crowd behind them, Hanover rallied. Mays paced the comeback tallying a kill that cut the difference to 22-20. With all the momentum, the junior handled the rest propelling HC past Spalding.
 
Hanover returns to action on Friday, Sept. 27 and Saturday, Sept. 28 when they compete as part of the ONU Invitational.