Volleyball Finishes Second at Capital University Invitational

BEXLEY, OHIO  — The Hiram College volleyball team split a pair of matches to finish second overall after the final day of the Capital University Invitational today (Saturday, Sept. 4) at the Capital Center in Bexley.  The Terriers defeated Hanover (Ind.) College, 3-1, to advance to the championship match, but fell to Bluffton University, 3-1, to finish as runners up.

With the split, the Terriers remain with an even .500 record on the season with a 3-3 mark.

In the match against Hanover, Hiram took an early 2-0 match lead by winning the first two sets, including a dominating first set with the score of 25-9.  The Terriers would win by the score of 25-19 in set two.  Hanover avoided the straight-set loss by edging Hiram in the third set, 25-23.  Hiram then put the Panthers away, claiming the fourth set with a margin of 25-22 and the 3-1 match victory.

In the title match against Bluffton, it would the opposite of the first match against Hanover.  The Beavers took control by capturing the first two sets, 25-23 and 25-23, to lead 2-0.  Hiram won a close third set, 25-22, to narrow the match deficit to 2-1.  But Bluffton would prevail in the fourth set, 25-22, to claim the match win.

Hiram will travel to University Heights for a non-conference match against John Carroll University on Wednesday, Sept. 8.  The match is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, please contact Hiram College Sports Information Director Jeff Hoedt by phone at (330) 569-5495 by FAX at (330) 569-5392 or by email at hoedtjm@hiram.edu.

Volleyball Sweeps a Pair of Matches on First Day of Capital Tournament

BEXLEY, OHIO  –  The Hiram College volleyball team opened the 2010 Capital University Tournament with a pair of victories today (Friday, Sept. 3) at the Capital Center in Bexley.  The Terriers defeated host school Capital, 3-1, and then went on beat Penn State-Altoona, 3-0.

With the victories, Hiram evens its record at 2-2 overall for the season.

In the match against Capital, the Crusaders took an early match lead, capturing the first set by the score of 25-17.  Hiram then answered by winning the second set, 25-18, to even the match at a set apiece.   The Terriers then captured the second and third sets, 25-14 and 25-18, as part of their three-set come-from-behind victory, 3-1.

In the final match of the day against PSU-Altoona, Hiram won in straight sets.  The Terriers recorded a victory in the first set with a score of 25-19 and then went on to victories in sets two and three, 25-15 and 25-17, to complete the sweep and the 3-0 match victory.

Hiram will complete the two-event tomorrow (Saturday, Sept. 4) with two matches beginning with a matchup against Hanover (Ind.) College at 11:30 a.m. in Bexley.  Depending upon the outcome of other matches, the Terriers will then play in a match at 1:30 or 3:30 p.m. in the championship or consolation rounds. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION, please contact Hiram College Sports Information Director Jeff Hoedt by phone at (330) 569-5495, by FAX at (330) 569-5392 or by email at hoedtjm@hiram.edu.

Volleyball Drops a Pair at Season Opening Quad Match

BEREA, OHIO  –  The Hiram College volleyball team got off to a rough start to begin the 2010 season by dropping a pair of matches at the season-opening Baldwin-Wallace College quad match today (Wednesday, Sept. 1) in Berea.  The Terriers lost the first match against host school Baldwin-Wallace, 3-0, and also fell to NCAA Division II Walsh University, 3-1.

With the losses, the Terriers began the season with a 0-2 overall record.

In the match against the Yellow Jackets, B-W took the opening set, 25-15, to grab an early 1-0 match lead.  B-W then went on to capture both the second and third sets by the scores of 25-21 and 25-16 to complete the three-match sweep.

In the final match of the night against Walsh, the Cavaliers took control of the match by winning the first sets, 25-23 and 25-22, to lead 2-0.  Hiram took the third set, 25-22, to cut the deficit to 2-1.  But it would be all Walsh in the fourth set, winning by the score of 25-10, to take the 3-1 match victory.

Hiram will travel to Bexley for the annual Capital University Tournament on Friday-Saturday, Sept. 3-4 at the Capital Center.  The Terriers will take on host school Capital at 2:30 p.m. followed a match against PSU-Altoona at 4:30 p.m.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, please contact Hiram College Sports Information Director Jeff Hoedt by phone at (330) 569-5495, by FAX at (330) 569-5392 or by email at hoedtjm@hiram.edu.

Volleyball Picked Second in NCAC Preseason Coaches Poll

CLEVELAND, OHIO  –  The Hiram College volleyball team was selected to finish second in the 2010 North Coast Athletic Conference Preseason Coaches Poll that was release today (Wednesday, Aug. 25).  [2010 NCAC Preseason Poll]

Hiram totaled 55 points to rank second of eight teams.  Defending NCAC Tournament Champion Wittenberg University was tabbed as the unanimous favorite with 64 points and all eight first-place votes.  The College of Wooster was third with 48 points and Allegheny (Pa.) College was fourth at 34 points.

Last year, the Terriers recorded their sixth season with 20 or more victories in the last seven years.  Hiram ended the 2009 campaign with a 23-10 mark, including an impressive 14-2 record in NCAC play.  Hiram returns 10letterwinners this year, but did lose some experience in graduated seniors Charley McQueary, two-time first-team All-NCAC player Randa Jackson, Brittany Mayle and Lauren London.

Back to lead the Terriers this season will be All-NCAC juniors Shaina Bryan (South Euclid/Brush) and Kristi Opfer (Garrettsville/Garfield.).  Hiram will also be led by senior setter Alyssa Coundourides (Brunswick/Parma-Padua Franciscan).

Up front, Opfer will anchor the middle hitters after finishing second in the team in kills as a sophomore with 236, but led the team in attack percentage (.288) and blocks (97).  At the outside hitter position, Bryan will lead the way.  Last fall, she led the team in kills (305), was second in digs (343) and was fourth in blocks (42).  Coundourides totaled a team-best 558 assists (4.69 assists per set) in 2009 and was also second in aces with 26.  In addition, she recorded 173 digs defensively. 

Hiram is set to begin the season on Wednesday, Sept. 1 with a pair of matches at Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea.  The Terriers will take on the Yellow Jackets at 5 p.m., followed by a match against Walsh University at 7 p.m.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, please contact Hiram College Sports Information Director Jeff Hoedt by phone at (330) 569-5495, by FAX at (330) 569-5392 or by email at hoedtjm@hiram.edu.

2010 Volleyball Preview

HIRAM, OHIO  –  The Hiram College volleyball team is coming yet another successful season in 2009, marked by an eighth straight appearance in the North Coast Athletic Conference Tournament championship match and will look for a repeat performance in 2010. 

Last year, the Terriers recorded their sixth season with 20 or more victories in the last seven years.  Hiram ended the 2009 campaign with a 23-10 mark, including an impressive 14-2 record in NCAC play.

Dempsey, who enters her 10th season as head coach at Hiram, is the winningest coach in program history with a 216-94 record.  In 17 seasons as a head coach, Dempsey currently has a 348-233 lifetime mark. 

Hiram returns 10 letterwinners this year, but did lose some experience in graduated seniors Charley McQueary, two-time first-team All-NCAC player Randa Jackson, Brittany Mayle and Lauren London. 

Back to lead the Terriers this season will be All-NCAC juniors Shaina Bryan (South Euclid/Brush) and Kristi Opfer (Garrettsville/Garfield.).  Hiram will also be led by senior setter Alyssa Coundourides (Brunswick/Parma-Padua Franciscan).

Up front, Opfer will anchor the middle hitters with support from juniors Andrea Kaminsky (Canton/GlenOak), Katie Rumora (Canal Winchester) and sophomore Katie Love (Moon Twp., Pa./Moon).  Opfer was second in the team in kills as a sophomore with 236, but led the team in attack percentage (.288) and blocks (97).

Kaminsky was also amongst the team leaders in kills with 213.  She was also third on the team in total blocks with 77.  Rumora and Love both provided depth up front and had strong seasons with Rumora recording 47 kills and 29 blocks, while Love tallied 16 kills and 13 blocks. 

At the outside hitter position, Bryan will lead the way.  Last fall, she led the team in kills (305), was second in digs (343) and was fourth in blocks (42).  In addition to Bryan, junior Megan Woodard (Saint Leonard, Md./Clavert) and sophomore Ariel Pund (Macedonia/Walsh Jesuit) will look to make an impact this season.  Woodard had a solid year as a sophomore with 80 kills, 43 digs and 29 blocks.  Pund was one of five players to record 200 or more kills last year with 209 to go along with 200 digs and 38 blocks.  She was also amongst the team leaders in service aces with 12.

Setting up the Terrier offense will be Coundourides.  Coundourides totaled a team-best 558 assists (4.69 assists per set) in 2009 and was also second in aces with 26.  In addition, she recorded 173 digs defensively. 

Hiram will have the advantage of having an experienced team in 2010 and should compete again for a possible NCAC Championship.  The schedule for the Terriers will feature some highly competitive teams highlighted by the annual matches against powerhouse and 2009 NCAC Tournament Champion Wittenberg University.  The Terriers will open the season on Wednesday, Sept. 1 in Berea at a quad match against Baldwin-Wallace College and Walsh University.  Hiram will take on the Yellow Jackets at 5 p.m. followed by a matchup against the Cavaliers at 7 p.m.  Hiram will also play host to the first of two NCAC Volleyball Weekends on Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 25-26 in which all eight schools from the NCAC will be in action.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, please contact Hiram College Sports Information Director Jeff Hoedt by phone at (330) 569-5495, by FAX at (330) 569-5392 or by email at hoedtjm@hiram.edu.

Volleyball Has Three Named All-NCAC; Dempsey Named Coach of the Year

CLEVELAND, OHIO — The Hiram College volleyball team had three players named to the 2009 All-North Coast Athletic Conference Teams for their individual efforts this season. Senior middle hitter Randa Jackson (South Euclid/Brush) repeated as a first-team selection, sophomore middle hitter Kristi Opfer (Garrettsville/Garfield) was tabbed second-team and sophomore outside hitter Shaina Bryan (South Euclid/Brush) was a honorable mention pick. In addition, Head Coach Ellen Dempsey was named the NCAC Coach of the Year for the fourth time in her career. [2009 All-NCAC Teams]

Hiram finished the 2009 season with a 23-10 overall record and 14-2 in the NCAC. The Terriers recorded their eighth straight winning season and has posted 20 or more wins in six of those years. The Terriers also advanced to their eighth straight NCAC Tournament championship match and ninth overall appearance in the NCAC postseason.

Jackson ended her four-year career with back-to-back first-team accolades. As a senior, she had 203 kills (1.77 kills per game) and a .260 hitting percentage. She was second on the team in total blocks with 93 (10 solo and 83 assists).

For her career, Jackson has 667 kills (1.71 k/g) and a .225 lifetime hitting percentage. She has also tallied 270 blocks (48 solo and 222 assists) in addition to 21 service aces, 11 set assists and 153 digs in 390 career games. Her 270 blocks rank as the sixth most in program history.

Randa is perhaps most athletically gifted athlete that we have ever had in our program,” said Head Coach Ellen Dempsey. “Her athleticism and Explosiveness made her threat that every team had to focus on. A two time first team all NCAC performer Randa has earned the respect of not only her teammates and coaching staff, but her peers as well. Randa will be greatly missed.”

Opfer was tabbed All-NCAC for the first time in her career. This season she led the team in blocks with 97 (12 solo and 85 assists), hitting percentage at .288 and was second on the team in kills at 236 (1.92 k/g). In addition, Opfer was tied for third in service aces (24) and added 51 digs.

“Kristi is fast becoming one of NCAC’s top blockers,” said Dempsey. “I am pleased that her talents and ability to impact a match have been recognized so early in her career by our fellow members. We look forward to what Kristi will add to our program in her remaining two seasons.”

Bryan earns her first All-NCAC award after leading the team in kills with 305 (2.54 k/g) and had a .189 hitting percentage. She was also second in digs at 343 (2.86 d/g) and fourth in blocks with 42 (11 solo and 31 assists). In addition, Bryan tallied three set assists and 16 aces.

“Shaina, Like Randa is perhaps one of the most gifted athletes in the North Coast,” stated Dempsey. “Her athleticism and volleyball IQ have quickly turned Shaina into one of the most effective Outside Hitters in the conference. As a sophomore we look forward and are glad that Shaina will be on our side of the net for the next two seasons.”

Dempsey was tabbed as NCAC Coach of the Year for the fourth time in her career (2001, 2003, 2005, 2009). In nine seasons at Hiram, Dempsey has led the Terriers to a 216-94 record (69.7 winning percentage) and has a 348-233 overall career record in 17 years. As head coach, Dempsey’s teams have appeared in the NCAC Tournament nine times, including eight straight NCAC Tournament title games, won one conference tournament championship, and made three NCAA Division III National Tournament appearances.

“It is both an honor and a privilege to be named coach of the year, honestly I must credit our amazing staff as without them Hiram volleyball would not be the same,” said Dempsey. “Ben Rodeffer my assistant for the last four years has been an integral part of this young’s teams development. As I said to Ben on the bench it not often that one program has two “Head Coaches” for Hiram is fortunate. Thank you.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION, please contact Hiram College Sports Information Director Jeff Hoedt by phone at (330) 569-5495, by FAX at (330) 569-5392 or by email at hoedtjm@hiram.edu.

Volleyball Defeated by Wittenberg University in NCAC Tournament Championship Match

SPRINGFIELD, OHIO — The second-seeded Hiram College volleyball team was defeated by top-seeded and No. 11 nationally-ranked Wittenberg University, 3-1, today (Saturday, Nov. 7) in the championship match of the 2009 North Coast Athletic Conference Tournament hosted by Wittenberg in Springfield.

Following today’s match, the Terriers are 20-10 overall while the Tigers improve to 24-7 overall and will earn the automatic bid to the 2009 NCAA Division III National Tournament. Hiram has recorded its eighth straight winning season and has posted 20 or more wins in six of those years. The Terriers also advanced to their eighth straight championship match and ninth overall appearance in the NCAC postseason.

Hiram rallied to win the opening set, 26-24, and take a 1-0 match lead. Wittenberg then captured the second set, 25-22, to even the match at a game apiece. The Tigers would prevail in a close third set, edging the Terriers by the score of 26-24. Wittenberg claimed its 15th NCAC Tournament title by capturing the fourth set, 25-12, en route to the 3-1 match victory.

Following the tournament, senior libero Charley McQueary (Oregon/Clay) and senior setter Brittany Mayle (Mantua/Crestwood) were both named to the NCAC All-Tournament team for their individual efforts during the two-day event.

Hiram will have to wait and see if they will earn an at-large bid to this year’s national tournament. The entire field is scheduled to be announced tomorrow (Sunday, Nov. 8).

FOR MORE INFORMATION, please contact Hiram College Sports Information Director Jeff Hoedt by phone at (330) 569-5495, by FAX at (330) 569-5392 or by email at hoedtjm@hiram.edu.

Volleyball Defeats The College of Wooster; Advances to NCAC Tournament Championship

SPRINGFIELD, OHIO — The second-seeded Hiram College volleyball team defeated third-seeded The College of Wooster, 3-0, tonight (Friday, Nov. 6) in a semifinal match of the 2009 North Coast Athletic Conference Tournament hosted by Wittenberg University in Springfield.

With the win, the Terriers improve to 23-9 overall for the season. The Fighting Scots are now 21-10 overall.

Hiram jumped out to the early lead by winning the first set by the score of 25-10. The Terriers then took control of the match, winning the second set 25-16, for a 2-0 overall match lead. Hiram completed the sweep with an impressive win in the third set, 25-12, to go on to the 3-0 match win and advance to tomorrow’s championship match.

Hiram will face top-seeded Wittenberg University tomorrow (Saturday, Nov. 7) for the NCAC Tournament title at 2 p.m. in Springfield. It will mark the eighth straight year that the two teams have met in the tournament championship match with the Tigers winning the last three meetings. The winner of tomorrow’s match will receive an automatic bid to the 2009 NCAA Division III National Tournament.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, please contact Hiram College Sports Information Director Jeff Hoedt by phone at (330) 569-5495, by FAX at (330) 569-5392 or by email at hoedtjm@hiram.edu.

Volleyball Win Streak Grows to Seven Matches With Win Against The College of Wooster

WOOSTER, OHIO — The Hiram College volleyball team won its seventh straight match with a 3-2 (25-27, 25-23, 23-25, 25-17, 15-10) win against The College of Wooster today (Saturday, Oct. 31) in the North Coast Athletic Conference and regular season finale in Wooster. [Match Statistics]

With the win, the Terriers are now 22-9 overall and 14-2 in the NCAC. In addition to seven straight match victories, Hiram has also won nine of its last 10. The Fighting Scots fall to 21-9 overall and 12-4 NCAC.

Leading the Hiram offense was sophomore middle hitter Andrea Kaminsky (Canton/GlenOak) with 14 kills. Sophomore outside hitter Shaina Bryan (South Euclid/Brush) and sophomore middle hitter Kristi Opfer (Garrettsville/Garfield) were tied for second with 12 kills each. Senior All-NCAC middle hitter Randa Jackson (South Euclid/Brush) added 11 kills. Senior setter Brittany Mayle (Mantua/Crestwood) tallied a team-high 30 set assists followed by junior setter Alyssa Coundourides (Brunswick/Parma-Padua Franciscan) with 17 assists.

Defensively, senior libero Charley McQueary (Oregon/Clay) recorded a team-best 40 digs. Bryan was second with 25 followed by freshman outside hitter Ariel Pund (Macedonia/Walsh Jesuit) with 17 digs. Mayle also finished in double figures in digs with 12 and Coundourides added 11. Jackson led the team in blocks with five (one solo and four assists).

Hiram will advance to its ninth straight NCAC Tournament and will be the number two seed. The Terriers will face the same Wooster team, who will be the third seed in the tournament, on Friday, Nov. 6 in Springfield. NCAC regular-season champion Wittenberg University will be the top seed and will serve as host for the tournament. The Tigers will face fourth-seeded Allegheny (Pa.) College at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, followed by Hiram and Wooster at 8 p.m. or 30 minutes following the conclusion of the Wittenberg and Allegheny matchup.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, please contact Hiram College Sports Information Director Jeff Hoedt by phone at (330) 569-5495, by FAX at (330) 569-5392 or by email at hoedtjm@hiram.edu.

Volleyball Continues Winning Streak with Victory Against Oberlin College

OBERLIN, OHIO — The Hiram College volleyball team continued its win streak with a 3-0 victory against Oberlin College tonight (Wednesday, Oct. 28) in a North Coast Athletic Conference match in Oberlin.

With the win, the Terriers have now posted six straight wins and are now 21-9 overall and 13-2 NCAC. Hiram is also winners of eight of its last nine matches.

Hiram claimed the opening set by the score of 25-20 and defeated the Yeowomen in the second set, 25-15, to take a 2-0 overall match lead. The Terriers then hung on to win the third and final set, 25-23, en route to the 3-0 match shutout. Hiram has lost only one set in its last five matches.

The Terriers will conclude the 2009 regular season on Saturday, Oct. 31 when they travel to Wooster for a NCAC match against The College of Wooster. The match is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, please contact Hiram College Sports Information Director Jeff Hoedt by phone at (330) 569-5495, by FAX at (330) 569-5392 or by email at hoedtjm@hiram.edu.

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