GAMBIER, Ohio – Kenyon College (9-9) defeated visiting Muskingum University Friday night in a non-conference volleyball match at Tomsich Arena. Even with the Ladies prevailing in four sets, it didn't come without having to rally throughout the spirited contest.
 
Delaney Swanson led the match with 20 kills while also a recording a team-best 14 digs. Tierney McClure added nine kills and three aces, and Jensen Shurbert handed out 42 assists. Defensively, Lauren Kerr and Schuyler Stupica combined for nine of the team's 18 total blocks. The duo also combined for eight kills. Sophomore Rachael Thorson chipped in with 11 digs.
 
Set one saw the Ladies down 20-15 following a kill from Brooke Scott, and it appeared as if Muskingum would take the opening set. But as it was going to turn out the rest of the night, Kenyon fought back.
 
With a 7-2 run highlighted by three kills from McClure, the Ladies tied set one 22-22. MU went up again 24-23 but Kenyon closed the first set with three straight points and the rally was complete as an attack error from Taylour Fatheree gave the Ladies a 26-24 win.
 
The Fighting Muskies took control in set two courtesy of a 10-3 stretch. Fatheree had a pair of kills while the Ladies aided the visitors' efforts with six errors moving the score to 17-10. Muskingum pulled away the rest of the set and won 25-16.
 
Momentum from the second set carried over into the third set for Muskingum as they found themselves up 6-2 following a kill from Fatheree. But once again, the Ladies responded, and this time in big fashion.
 
The slow start was quickly reversed as Kenyon, down 6-5 after a pair of kills from Swanson and Alexi Donnelly, picked up the pace. After Donnelly's kill, McClure came into serve and she reeled off back-to-back service aces to put the home team up 7-6. Kenyon never lost the lead after that as it went on a monster 16-5 run and went up 23-11. The Ladies claimed the third set 25-14.
 
Set four began just like the previous set; with Kenyon down 6-2 after a Fighting Muskie kill. The Ladies didn't panic and knew they could come back. A quick response from Kenyon, and a kill by Donnelly, tied the set at 8. After that, it was back and forth for the rest of the match as neither team gained a lead bigger than two points.
 
With the final set tied at 22, Swanson's kill, her 20th of the night, gave the Ladies a 23-22 lead.  The exciting match would end in Kenyon's favor as back-to-back errors from Muskingum pushed the final tally to 25-22.
 
Kenyon will try and keep up the momentum tomorrow at 1 p.m. when they host North Coast Athletic Conference opponent DePauw University for Senior Day.