SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (September 8, 2023) – The opening day of the MIAA/NCAC Crossover saw the Denison University volleyball team hold set-point twice in the opening set before ultimately falling 3-0 (27-25, 25-14, 25-17) against the No. 3 nationally-ranked team in NCAA Division III, Hope College, on Friday evening at Wittenberg University.

Ayla Dunbar led the way with seven kills for Denison, followed by Claire Hamilton with six, Corinne Boyd with five, Maeve Perry and four and setter Alice Kempf with three.

Kempf also added 21 assists and seven digs while Sadie Habeeb recorded 18 digs, Ryan Kotalik had 10 and Dunbar matched Kempf with seven.

Denison actually doubled up Hope 12-6 in the opening set following a 6-0 run and led by scores of 16-10 and 17-13 before the Flying Dutch cut the deficit to 19-18.

The Big Red responded with a 3-0 run featuring a kill and an ace by Dunbar before a kill by Boyd to make it 22-18, and then a kill by Hamilton made it 23-19 before a 4-0 run for Hope to tie it at 23-23.

Another kill by Hamilton gave Denison set-point up 24-23 and a block by Cailey Johns made it 25-24 Big Red, but it would all be for naught as the final three points went to Hope on a kill, a service ace and a bad set.

In the final set, Denison was right there tied 15-15 before a 6-0 run featuring four kills and two Denison attack errors allowed Hope to take control.

Denison fell to 3-2 on the season while Hope, which moved up to No. 6 from No. 3 in the first AVCA Coaches' Poll after a 3-0 performance at the Washington University in St. Louis Bear Invite Tournament last weekend, improved to 4-0 overall.

Denison will continue action at the MIAA/NCAC Crossover tomorrow on Saturday, September 9, as the Big Red take on No. 4 Calvin University at 10 a.m. and Albion College at 12:30 p.m.