GAMBIER, Ohio- Under the lights of Tomsich Arena, the Kenyon College volleyball team turned its Dig Pink match into both a celebration of purpose and performance. Partnering with the Side-Out Foundation to raise awareness for breast cancer, the Owls fed off the energy in the gym and earned a 3-1 (25-13, 25-21, 18-15, 25-20) victory over Wilmington College. With the non-conference win, Kenyon improves to 3-13, while the Quakers slipped to 2-13.
 
The Owls came out firing in the opening set, jumping to a 3-0 start behind a kill from Junior Sophia Menke, set up by junior Hannah Schweem. Senior Joy Carstanjen then took over at the service line, rattling off back-to-back points that included an ace to build early momentum. Kenyon strung together several scoring runs, stretching its advantage to as many as 11 points before closing the frame 2-13 on consecutive Wilmington errors.
 
Kenyon once again opened quickly in the second, scoring the first three points on two kills and a service ace. Wilmington battled back, using a five-point spurt to draw within 7-6 and eventually knotting the score at 10-10 before taking its first lead at 12-11. The two sides continued to trade points until Kenyon broke through late, responding out of a timeout with a five-point run to finish off the set 25-21, and take a 2-0 match lead.
 
The Quakers refused to fold, however, and turned the tide in set three. Deadlocked at 14-14, Wilmington surged ahead with a decisive five-point run to go up 20-15. Kenyon managed just three points the rest of the way as the visitors pulled away for a 25-18 win.
 
In the fourth, the Owls regrouped and reasserted themselves. Schweem directed the offense to a balanced attack while Menke and senior Aura Barinas came up with timely kills to keep Wilmington at bay. Kenyon maintained control down the stretch, closing out the match with a 25-20 decision.
 
Overall, Kenyon hit .216 as a team, led by sophomore Mariyah Rumpca-Veronese, who had ten kills with Menke following right behind with nine of her own. Schwemm posted a double-double with 27 assists and 21 digs. Senior Lauren Blakemore anchored the back row with 21 digs and two service aces, while Carstanjen chipped in five digs and two aces. The Owls finished the night with 46 kills, seven aces, and 70 digs. 
 
Kenyon will return to NCAC action this weekend with a road test at Wittenberg University. First serve is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on Saturday.