CINCINNATI, Ohio - In front of quite possible the largest crowd in the history of the Harrington Center, coach
John Spinney and his 14th ranked Lions defeated the 17th ranked Transylvania Pioneers 3-1 to clinch at least a share of the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference regular season title. The near capacity crowd was treated to high-level volleyball action, but in the end the Lions pulled out the big win and will host the HCAC's postseason tournament November 11th and 12th.
Both programs have been among the nations top this season, and both entered with lengthy winning streaks and unbeaten in HCAC action.
McKenzee Wagener was dominant in the middle for the Lions, leading the way with a team-high 14 kills and a .440 hitting percentage. The senior also accounted for a match-high 19 points adding 3 solo blocks and 4 block assists. Freshman
Emma Sicking also had double-digit kills with 13 helping to lead a balanced offensive attack.
Hannah Graves (8) and
Emily Pfeifer (7) both were solid contributors offensively.
Setter
Jasmine Butler dished out 41 assists and had 6 digs.
Erin Androne led the defensive efforts as the Lions did a good job to keep balls off the floor all night with 21 digs.
Carly Caldwell (9) and
Grace Wilking (8) also played fantastic defense.
Transy looked to take to control early racing out to the early lead in the first set, but the Lions would roar back late in the set 25-23. In the second set Transy answered to tie the match at a set a peice. They then dominated the fourth set 25-16, and clinched it with a late run in the fourth set.
In a cermony prematch the Lions recognized their 2023 senior class which included
Erin Androne,
McKenzee Wagener,
Carly Caldwell,
Addie Conley,
Kristen Schoenfeld,
Grace Young and Emily Abshire.
The Lions will try to finish off the HCAC regular season championship with a win on the road Saturday at Defiance. Should they win that match they will be outright champions.
