CINCINNATI, Ohio – The Mount St. Joseph Lions battled through a hard-fought Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) match up on Saturday afternoon but ultimately fell to Franklin College in four sets. Despite the 1-3 setback, the Lions displayed determination and grit throughout, making the Grizzlies earn every point.
MATCH ONE: MSJ 1 – FRANKLIN 3 (25-23, 20-25, 25-27, 12-25)
The match opened with high energy and intensity from both sides, as the Lions fed off the home crowd's momentum to take the first set, 25-23. Senior Hannah Graves led by example on both ends of the floor. Graves tallied a team-high 12 kills on 38 total attempts and added 12 digs, recording yet another double-double in her standout career.
Sophomores Sydney Doty and Aubrey Miranda each added nine kills, keeping the Lions' offense balanced and competitive at the net. Their consistent attacking helped Mount St. Joseph stay within striking distance through the tightly contested second and third sets. At the setting position, freshman Ava Moore and sophomore Ginger Johnson shared the play making duties efficiently, each finishing with 16 assists.
Defensively, libero Lyndsey Stephenson anchored the back row with 14 digs, showcasing quick reactions and dependable ball control. The Lions' defensive unit worked tirelessly to keep rallies alive and limit Franklin's offensive runs.
After taking the opening set, the Lions narrowly dropped the next two before Franklin pulled away in the fourth to seal the win. Despite the result, Mount St. Joseph showed resilience, teamwork, and composure against a strong conference opponent. Saturday's match also served as Senior Day, as the Lions honored Hannah Graves for her leadership, dedication, and impact on the program. Graves' presence and example have been instrumental to the team's success and culture.
UP NEXT: The Lions will continue HCAC play next week Wednesday November 5th for their final home regular season game against Transylvania. The first serve is set for 7:00PM.
