The Hilbert College women's volleyball team battled through a back-and-forth match on Saturday afternoon but came up just short in a five-set heartbreaker to Penn State Altoona, 3–2 (25–21, 19–25, 24–26, 25–22, 16–18), inside the Brad Hafner Recreation Center.
With the loss, the Hawks move to 17–9 overall and 4–2 in AMCC play, while the Lions improve to 11–11 (3–2 AMCC).
Prior to the game, the Women's Volleyball program honored seniors Jessee Jonathan, McKenna Rice, Michaela Rice, Jenna Revak and Molly McKinnon.
Hilbert opened the match with strong energy, taking the first set 25–21 behind efficient hitting and timely defense.
Penn State Altoona responded in the second and third frames, narrowly outlasting the Hawks in a 26–24 third set.
Hilbert forced a decisive fifth after a 25–22 victory in set four, but the Lions edged the Hawks 18–16 in the final set to seal the match.
During the match coach Calvin Crosby called a pair of time outs to recognize individual achievements by two seniors: Jessee Jonathan recorded her 1,500 career assist and Michaela Rice set a new single season record in block assists with her 34th of the season.
Freshman Lindsay Madigan paced Hilbert with 13 kills and 16 assists, posting a double-double performance, as did senior Molly McKinnon who notched 11 kills and 27 digs. Jenna Revak chipped in 11 kills, and Meghan Balen finished with 10 while Michaela Rice added nine.
Jade Schiller anchored the back row with 30 digs and contributed two service aces, and Jessee Jonathan ran the offense with a team-high 28 assists and 19 digs.
At the net, Michaela Rice and Meghan Balen led the defensive effort with five blocks apiece, while McKenna Rice chipped in four.
Hilbert out-hit Penn State - Altoona in total kills (56–47) and digs (113–106), but the Lions' efficiency in the fifth set proved to be the difference.
Hilbert returns to action next Saturday, November 1st with their final regular season home game against AMCC foe Mount Aloysius (12 pm). The Hawks will conclude their regular season schedule with an away game at Fredonia State and at Carlow University before the First Round AMCC playoff game takes place November 12th.
