HANOVER, Ind. – The Mount St. Joseph Lions hit the road on Tuesday night to face Hanover College in another exciting Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) match up. In a match that went the distance, the Lions showed grit and determination to secure a 3-2 victory, keeping their undefeated conference record intact and continuing their impressive run in HCAC play.
MATCH ONE: MSJ 3 – HANOVER 2 (25-18, 9-25, 20-25, 25-22, 15-10)
The Lions once again demonstrated their ability to battle through in a hard-fought contest. Junior Emma Sicking led the offensive charge with 16 kills on 43 total attempts, while adding 9 digs and three aces to her all-around performance. Sophomore Sydney Doty was another key contributor at the net, recording 15 kills on 31 attempts to provide a consistent offensive spark. Adding depth and balance to the attack, sophomore Aubrey Miranda posted 10 kills on 20 attempts. Senior Hannah Graves delivered a strong showing with 12 digs and three aces, playing a crucial role in maintaining momentum during pivotal stretches of the match.
Running the offense, sophomore Ginger Johnson dished out 23 assists and added 8 digs, while freshman Ava Moore contributed 18 assists and 12 digs to keep the Lions' offense flowing smoothly. Defensively, libero Lyndsey Stephenson anchored the back row with 20 digs, providing steady coverage throughout the five-set battle.
After taking the first set, the Lions fell short as Hanover stormed back to win the next two sets. However, Mount St. Joseph refused to back down, rallying to take the fourth set before closing out the decisive fifth set with poise and energy. The team's composure, teamwork, and ability to perform under pressure proved to be the difference as they extended their winning streak in conference play.
UP NEXT: The Lions continue HCAC play on the road this weekend, traveling to Bluffton University on Saturday, October 25th for another key match up. First serve is scheduled for 1:00 PM as Mount St. Joseph looks to keep their undefeated HCAC record alive.
