HANOVER v FRANKLIN
Hanover opened HCAC play with a dominant 3-0 sweep of Franklin on Saturday afternoon at Collier Arena, taking the match 25-22, 25-15, 25-19. The Panthers improved to 14-4 overall and 1-0 in conference play, while Franklin fell to 15-2 and 0-1 in the HCAC.
Match Highlights
Hanover and Franklin finished even with 39 kills apiece, but the Panthers were more efficient offensively, hitting .239 compared to Franklin's .148. Hanover also held advantages in aces (10-2), blocks (8-7), assists (37-33) and digs (54-51).
After a competitive opening set,
Madison Schicker helped Hanover take control in the second set with a big service run, putting the Panthers in a strong position and helping them pull away for a 25-15 victory. Schicker finished the match with 16 digs and 4 aces, providing a major impact from the service line and anchoring Hanover's defense.
Abbey McCoy led all Panthers with 15 kills while hitting an impressive .333. She also added 8 digs, 2 aces and 4 block assists for 19 points.
Ryleigh Plunkitt followed with 11 kills on 23 attacks (.304) and added an ace, while
Molly Welborn contributed 6 kills.
The Panthers were particularly effective at the net.
Emmerson Gott led Hanover with 5 blocks, while McCoy added 4 block assists.
Kinzee Dean recorded 2 blocks, including a solo block, as Hanover finished with 8 total blocks.
Madison Schicker provided a strong performance from the service line and defensively, recording four aces and 16 digs.
Brooke Gervers added 2 aces and six digs, while
Kaelin Quinlin contributed 6 digs.
Megan Vogel directed the Hanover offense with 19 assists, while Gervers added 12 assists. Vogel also contributed 2 kills and a block.
After a competitive opening set, Hanover separated itself in the second, hitting .130 while limiting Franklin to a .069 hitting percentage. The Panthers then closed the match by hitting .275 in the third set while committing just two errors.
The History
Saturday's victory continued Hanover's strong history against Franklin. The Panthers entered the match with a 17-2 record against the Grizzlies dating back to the first meeting on October 27, 2010. Hanover had also won five straight meetings entering Saturday's match. With Saturday's sweep, Hanover extended its winning streak against Franklin to 6 matches and improved its all-time series record to 18-2.
Statistical Leaders
Kills: Abbey McCoy (15, .333),
Ryleigh Plunkitt (11, .304),
Molly Welborn (6, .143),
Kinzee Dean (5, .154)
Digs: Madison Schicker (16),
Brooke Gervers (6),
Kaelin Quinlin (6),
Abbey McCoy (8)
Assists: Megan Vogel (19),
Brooke Gervers (12),
Madison Schicker (3)
Aces: Madison Schicker (4),
Abbey McCoy (2),
Brooke Gervers (2),
Ryleigh Plunkitt (1),
Kinzee Dean (1)
Blocks: Emmerson Gott (5),
Abbey McCoy (4 block assists),
Kinzee Dean (2),
Megan Vogel (1),
Molly Welborn (1)
Key to Victory
Hanover's serving and blocking made the difference in a match where both teams finished with 39 kills. The Panthers produced 10 aces to Franklin's 2 and 8 blocks to 7, while also hitting .239 compared to Franklin's .148. After a tight opening set, Hanover controlled the final two sets and finished the sweep with just 2attack errors in the third.
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