HANOVER, Ind. – The Hanover Panthers (5-4 overall) welcomed five teams to Collier Arena on Friday evening for the 2025 Hanover Invitational. The Blue and Red split day one, falling to Albion 3-2 and defeating Blackburn 3-0.
 
GAME ONE v ALBION
The Britons secured the five-set thriller (19-25, 25-11, 22-25, 25-18, 10-15).
Junior Abbey McCoy and freshman Molly Welborn led the Panthers, recording double-digit kills. McCoy posted a team-high 14 kills for a .214 hitting percentage. Welborn tallied 11 kills while collecting six digs.
 
Sophomore Madison Schicker dominated the back row, picking up 25 digs. Junior Megan Vogel added 22 assists.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The two teams exchanged points for much of the contest when Hanover rattled off seven straight points on the serve of McCoy that propelled Hanover in front 18-17 in set one. Despite the late set success, Albion was able to secure the final three points with their play at the net, 25-19.
 
Much like set one, Hanover was able to use a late set rally, consisting of the final eight points, for the 25-11 victory. Pacing the surge was McCoy from the service line and freshman Kinzee Dean on the attack.
 
Hanover used a strong set four to force a winner-take-all all. In set four, senior Kelsey Waggoner caught Albion on their heels, tallying a service ace that put HC in front 15-12. With all the momentum, Dean rocked Alion with back-to-back kills. Maddie Robertson secured the set on an assist from Brooke Gervers.
 
The final set saw Albion hold off the surging Panthers en route to a 3-2 win.
 
GAME TWO v BLACKBURN
Hanover dominated the Beavers of Blackburn in straight sets (25-13, 25-18, 25-11).
 
Senior Maddie Robertson posted a team-high 11 kills while Vogel added 17 helpers. McCoy had the steady play in the back row, adding 21 digs.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Hanover used a seven point stretch to surge in front of the Beavers 11-8. Leading the attack was senior Elliot Mays. With the home crowd cheering them on, Hanover never looked back, scoring the final six points for the win.
 
Set two started much like the first as HC used consistency on the attack to claim a 20-14 difference. Welborn secured the win as her and teammate Robertson paired up for back-to-back kills.
 
Blackburn remained without an answer for the red-hot Panthers, falling behind 7-0 in set three. The rest was history as Hanover used a pair of 6-0 runs to claim the 25-11 straight set win.