Volleyball: Denison drops home opener to Hiram

The Denison volleyball team suffered a 3-0 (25-16, 25-21, 25-21) setback to Hiram in their home and North Coast Athletic Conference opener on Friday night in Granville.

Freshman middle hitter Kristen Hughes (Downington, Pa./Bishop Shanahan) led the Big Red attack with five kills. Senior Ali Trotter (Cincinnati, Ohio/Turpin) and freshman Claire Koneval (Solon, Ohio/Solon) combined for 17 assists while Hughes and freshman Megan Early (Findlay, Ohio/Van Buren) each had a pair of blocks. Defensively, junior Holly Leonard (Evanston, Ill./Evanston Township) recorded 15 digs in the three-game match.

Denison falls to 3-8 overall and 0-1 in the NCAC while Hiram improves to 7-8 on the season and 3-0 in conference play. DU returns to action Saturday (Sept. 27) when they host NCAC foe Allegheny and Case Western Reserve in a tri-match. The Big Red will battle Allegheny at 11:00 a.m. and will take on Case at 3:00 p.m. The match between Allegheny and Case Western is scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m.