PITTSBURGH, PA — The Kenyon College volleyball team battled No. 6 Carnegie Mellon University on Wednesday night but fell in three sets, 25-11, 25-19, 25-14, at the Highmark Center for Health, Wellness and Athletics.
Carnegie Mellon controlled the opening set from the start, using a strong offensive attack to take a 25-11 victory. Kenyon settled in during the second set, staying within reach early before the Tartans pulled away late.
The Owls showed their best stretch of the night late in the second set. Trailing 22-14, Kenyon scored five consecutive points to cut the deficit to 22-19. Kendall
Kirkbride had a kill during the run, while Arianna Flota added back-to-back service aces. Carnegie Mellon, however, answered with the final three points to take the set.
Kenyon again battled early in the third set, with the teams tied at 4-4 and later at 6-6. The Owls took a 8-9 lead following a block by Sophia Menke before
Carnegie Mellon responded with a run of its own. The Tartans eventually closed the match on a 10-1 run to secure the 25-14 victory.
Bryn Carrigan led Kenyon with nine kills, while Hannah Schwemm finished with seven kills and 10 assists. Kirkbride added three kills, and Abby Stenger recorded three kills. Flota paced the Owls defensively with 13 digs.
Brynn Shearn and Logan Devereux led Carnegie Mellon with 12 kills apiece. The Tartans hit .277 as a team, while Kenyon finished at .058.
The Owls will return to action this Saturday, September 3 at home against Wittenberg University for NCAC play.
