The Purple and Gold Drop Home Contest with Hanover

DEFIANCE, OHIO - The Purple and Gold dropped it's home contest with Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference opponent Hanover College in straight sets (25-21, 25-22, 25-20) at the Karl H. Weaner Center Sunday afternoon.

Defiance (2-14 overall, 0-2 HCAC) was led on the day by freshman Delaney Monnin (Defiance/Tinora) with a game-high 11 kills on 27 total attempts. As a team, DC registered 32 kills with 58 digs.

The Yellow Jackets looked to use its home court advantage early as they jumped ahead to a 4-2 lead following a kill by Monnin. Hanover responded as they tied the contest moments later after a Defiance miscue. The two teams continued to exchange points for much of the set before back-to-back kills by the Panthers sprung a small rally that gave them the 16-11 advantage. The Purple and Gold responded with a run of its own as Monnin delivered a DC service ace pulling Defiance within 18-17. But again, Hanover used a Yellow Jacket error and a kill to seal the set one victory.

The Panthers carried the momentum into set two as they surged ahead to the 4-0 lead. However, the Purple and Gold brought the sting as they rattled off five straight points following the furious attack of Monnin and senior Brooke Plummer (Plain City/Jonathan Alder) to cut the deficit to 10-8. The set continued to be a series of runs as DC put together a four point rally that pulled the Yellow Jackets within 22-20. However, Hanover continued to attack claiming the sets final two points to claim set two, 25-22.

In the final set, the Purple and Gold pounced ahead early as a service ace by junior Jessi Davis (Delta) and kill from Monnin put DC on top 6-3. However, Hanover used another run to erase the deficit and take the 9-6 advantage. After exchanging points for several minutes, a kill by Plummer halted the charging Panthers and pulled DC within 20-18. But again the Panther attack delivered following another DC miscue to secure the set and match victory.

Defiance returns to action on Wednesday, Oct. 3 as they host Earlham College at the Karl H. Weaner Center. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m.