HIRAM, Ohio – Chatham Women's Volleyball (3-5, 0-1 PAC) fell in straight sets (25-17, 25-18, 25-21) to Hiram (6-5, 1-0 PAC) on Saturday afternoon at Price Gymnasium.
Hiram opened the match with six consecutive points to build a 6-1 lead. The Cougars battled back later in the set, using two
Maddy Roberts kills during a 3-0 run to cut the deficit to 14-12. The Terriers answered with four straight points to regain control and went on to claim the opening frame.
Chatham started quickly in set two, with back-to-back
Becca Gesner kills helping the Cougars take a 6-3 advantage. The teams remained close throughout the middle of the frame, battling through ties at 10, 15 and 16. A
Zoie Bateman kill brought Chatham within 18-17, but Hiram responded with three consecutive points and later scored the final four points to take a 2-0 match lead.
The Cougars again took the early advantage in set three. A block from
Evie White and
Annelese Atkinson capped a 4-0 run that put Chatham ahead 5-2. Hiram battled back to even the set at six before the teams traded the lead. The Terriers later used a 3-0 run to move in front 15-12 and eventually extended their advantage to 21-17. Chatham answered with two straight points to pull within 21-19, but Hiram held off the comeback and closed the match with a 25-21 set victory.
Bateman led Chatham with 13 kills and added 12 digs for a double-double. Roberts also recorded a double-double with seven kills and 11 digs, while Gesner finished with seven kills.
Kelly Dougherty collected a team-high 16 digs and added six assists.
Delaney Schwind totaled 15 assists and 10 digs for the Cougars' third double-double of the match, and
Kate Giannetta dished out 10 assists.
Hiram outhit Chatham .250 to .132 and held a 48-36 advantage in kills. The Cougars recorded 71 digs and held a 3-2 edge in blocks.
The Cougars return home on Thursday, September 24
th for their home opener against La Roche at 7
PM at the Athletic & Fitness Center.
