Box Score Greencastle, Ind. - DePauw took a 2-1 lead over visiting Hiram in the North Coast Athletic Conference opener for both schools, but the Terriers came back to win the final two sets and top the Tigers 3-2 (25-27, 25-16, 9-25, 25-21, 17-15). The Tigers moved to 7-5 overall, while the Terriers are 9-7.
DePauw trailed by as many as six in the opening set, but a 6-0 run later gave the Tigers an 18-17 lead. The Tigers fought off set point and won the final three points for the win as Ashley Haas and Sarah Herman ended the set with a block. The Terriers trailed only briefly early in the second and pulled away for the win, but DePauw dominated the third set with a .256 hitting percentage including 12 kills and five aces.
The Tigers held an 18-15 advantage in the fourth, but Hiram scored eight straight including three on aces to take a 23-18 lead on the way to evening the match at 2-2.
The fifth set was about as tight as possible as the score was tied 13 times and the lead changed hands on five occasions. DePauw grabbed an 11-9 lead, but the Terriers came right back with four straight to take a 13-11 lead. Olivia Karwin's ace and Katie Gansle's kill gave the Tigers a 14-13 lead and match point, but Hiram responded with a kill to even the score. Sarah Herman's kill put DePauw at match point again, but the Terriers scored the final three points to seal the win.
DePauw outhit Hiram, .121-.102 and held a 60-48 edge in kills. Gansle paced DePauw with 15 kills and Karwin added 14, while Kayla Cole had 16 for Hiram. Grace Filbrun led DePauw with 28 assists with Emily Chrustic totaling 20 for the Terriers.
The Tigers held a narrow 12-11 edge in aces with Jenna Purichia pacing the team with five and Mackenzie Brannon leading the guests with four. Gansle's 29 digs led the Tigers with Brannon topping Hiram with 43. Haas totaled five blocks for the Tigers with Emily Richardson leading Hiram with five.
DePauw hosts Allegheny tomorrow at 1 p.m.
