Hiram, Ohio - Despite a resilient effort, the Oberlin College volleyball team dropped a 3-0 (25-22, 25-19, 26-24) decision to Hiram College on the road on Wednesday evening. With the loss, the Crimson and Gold shift to 1-6 on the year.
First-year Brylie Peters paced the Oberlin offense, producing 12 kills and nine digs, while senior Josie Macdonald finished the night with ten kills. Senior Jillian Jendsen served as the primary setter, recording 20 assists. Classmate Iris Archibald led the Crimson and Gold defense with 11 digs while rookie Mara Geiger posted a season-high ten digs.
The first set saw both teams keep each other within close margins, as the opponents saw ten ties in the first 13 points. A 5-1 Hiram rally allowed the Terriers to pull ahead to 18-14. Responding with a strong attack, Oberlin delivered six of the next eight points, including a pair of kills from Geiger as well as a kill from Lucy Goebel and Peters to bring the score to 20-20. Behind by one point, Peters and Macdonald each notched a kill to pull ahead 22-21, but a final four-point run from the Terriers finished the set 25-22.
Trailing 13-11 in the second frame, Hiram produced a six-point surge to claim a 17-13 advantage. A Terrier attack error disrupted their streak, but was immediately followed by a Hiram kill. The Crimson and Gold were unable to find a consistent rhythm, allowing Hiram to take the second set 25-19.
Both teams traded points in the third stanza, with neither team holding more than a four-point edge the entire set. Behind 17-13, Oberlin recorded a four-point effort to bring the score to a 17-17 tie. Hiram continued to chip away until they maintained a slight 21-19 lead. The Yeowomen delivered five of the next six points, capped off by a Goebel kill, bringing the frame to set point with a two-point advantage. Responding with a final four-point surge, Hiram was able to finish the set 26-24 to secure the sweep.
The Crimson and Gold will travel to the Ginny Hunt Kilt Classic hosted by Wooster for a doubleheader on Friday, September 12. Oberlin will face Pittsburgh at Greensburg at 5 p.m. and Westminster at 7 p.m.
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