GAMBIER, Ohio — The Kenyon College volleyball team fought back from an early deficit and twice put itself in position to seize control Saturday, but Wittenberg University held off the Owls for a 3-1 match victory at Tomsich Arena.
The Owls answered Wittenberg's strong start by taking the second set and pushing the Tigers deep into the third before Wittenberg pulled away late.
Olivia Gumz led Kenyon with 10 kills and six digs, while Sophia Menke added nine kills. Kendall Kirkbride also finished with nine kills, and Hannah Schwemm recorded 31 assists and nine digs. Arianna Flota led the Owls with 13 digs.
Kenyon struggled offensively in the opening set, as Wittenberg jumped out to an early advantage. The Owls stayed within four points at 8-4 before the Tigers used an 8-0 run to build a 16-8 lead. Wittenberg closed the set 25-14.
The Owls responded immediately in the second.
Kenyon built an 11-7 advantage and continued to withstand Wittenberg's attempts to rally. After the Tigers tied the set at 16-16, Kenyon regained the lead behind kills from Menke and Gumz before closing out the set 25-21 to even the match. Gumz had five kills in the set, while Kenyon hit .226 as a team.
Kenyon carried that momentum into the third set, opening with a 4-0 lead and later taking an 18-14 advantage. Wittenberg rallied to take a 20-18 lead, but the Owls kept fighting.
Kenyon pulled within 24-23 after a late service ace from Schwemm, but Wittenberg answered with the final point to take the set 25-23.
The fourth set remained competitive early, with Kenyon holding a 10-9 lead. Wittenberg then used a 6-1 run to take control and eventually built a 21-16 advantage.
The Tigers closed out the set 25-18 to secure the match.
Kenyon finished the match with 40 kills and 55 digs while hitting .126. Wittenberg recorded 51 kills, 61 digs, and hit .261.
Despite the loss, Kenyon showed it could respond after the opening set, taking the second and battling Wittenberg through the third before the Tigers closed out the match.
Kenyon will return to action on Wednesday, Oct. 7, at home against Kent State University at Tuscarawas.
