PHOTOS

RICHMOND, Ind. - Freshman Ashleigh Burton tallied nine kills and three block assists, but Transylvania Pioneers stayed in first place with a 25-16, 25-21, 25-17 win over the Earlham College volleyball team in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) action on Wednesday.

After falling in the first set, the Quakers made things interesting in set two. Transylvania's Audrey Brown served eight straight points to put the Pioneers up 8-2. Despite the deficit, the Quakers kept fighting and clawed back to within a single point at 19-18. A service error from Earlham and a service ace from Transylvania pushed the Pioneer lead back to 21-18. After an Earlham timeout, a service error from Jennifer Buckman got the Quakers within two, but the Pioneers won four of the next six points to take the set.  

The third set was tied 10-10 early, but the Pioneers served four of their team's 14 service aces in a service run from Marissa Coutinho to pull away.

Burton led Earlham offensively with nine kills. Fellow freshman Denisha Mataia chipped in five kills, 12 digs, and two block assists.

Erin Romito led Transylvania with 16 kills on 44 attacks with four errors.

Earlham continues HCAC play on Saturday when it travels to Mount St. Joseph for a 1 p.m. contest.