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Kenyon College Athletics

0
Kenyon Kenyon 5-18,1-5 NCAC
3
Winner Denison Den 12-14,4-3 NCAC
Kenyon Kenyon
5-18,1-5 NCAC
0
Final
3
Denison Den
12-14,4-3 NCAC
Winner
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 F
Kenyon Kenyon 20 20 14 (0)
Denison Den 25 25 25 (3)
3
Winner Ohio Northern ONU 11-15,4-4 OAC
0
Kenyon Kenyon 5-19,1-5 NCAC
Winner
Ohio Northern ONU
11-15,4-4 OAC
3
Final
0
Kenyon Kenyon
5-19,1-5 NCAC
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 F
Ohio Northern ONU 25 25 25 (3)
Kenyon Kenyon 14 12 18 (0)
Aura Barinas

Game Recap: Volleyball |

Owls fall short in two matches at Denison

GRANVILLE, Ohio -- During a triangular match at Denison University, the Kenyon College volleyball team played against the host Big Red and then against Ohio Northern University to cap off a long Saturday. Kenyon lost both matches, 3-0, despite competitive stretches and impressive individual performances.

Owls senior Mariyah Rumpca-Veronese led the Kenyon offense with eight kills in the first match against Denison. Hannah Schwemm, the Kenyon setter, had an effective all-around effort at the same time, recording 21 assists to go along with three solo blocks, and three digs. Olivia Gumz swatted seven kills, while Lauren Blakemore anchored the defense with a team-high 12 digs.

The Big Red (12-14, 4-3 NCAC) won sets of 25-20, 25-20, and 25-14 to defend their home court. Rumpca-Veronese and Gumz found gaps in the Denison defense through the first two sets, resulting in numerous ties and lead changes. The Owls kept within striking distance by Blakemore's strong serve-receive and a late surge in the second frame, but Denison's balanced attack—which hit .209 overall—proved to be too reliable.

Schwemm connected on fast sets to Sophia Menke and Rumpca-Veronese in the third set as Kenyon's offensive rhythm improved, but Denison used a 7-2 closing run to win. 

In the day's next match, the Owls played Ohio Northern in a non-conference, neutral-site battle. Kenyon's front row displayed moments of strength once more, but the Polar Bears (11-15) won 25-14, 25-12, and 25-18 thanks to their deep rotation and accurate hitting.

Kenyon senior Aura Barinas, who finished with a team-high 10 kills on a .444 hitting percentage—her most productive performance of the season—provided Kenyon with a significant boost. Schwemm had another strong performance with 21 assists and seven digs, while Rumpca-Veronese contributed six kills and ten digs. Becca Gwynne added three kills and an ace, while Blakemore recorded nine more digs.

Ohio Northern's offense, which hit .299 as a team with exemplary contributions from every position in the lineup, proved difficult to stop. Kenyon struggled to maintain momentum against the Polar Bears, but did have moments of success, particularly when Barinas erupted with six kills in the third set.

In the two matches combined, Schwemm finished the day with 42 assists and 10 digs, while Rumpca-Veronese had 14 kills and 20 digs. The backcourt was stabilized by 30 combined digs from Blakemore and Arianna Flota.

The Owls (5-19, 1-5 NCAC) are still fighting for a spot in the NCAC standings with one match left in conference play. A win over Oberlin College on Saturday November 8, would lock the Owls into an NCAC postseason tournament spot.
 
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