RICHMOND, Ind. – The Earlham College volleyball team rallied a third-set comeback to sweep Franklin College on Wednesday evening in Druley Performance Gym.
The Quakers improved to 4-0 in conference play, and still hold sole possession of first place in the HCAC standings.
Addison Piatt led the Quakers all around the court, scoring a team-high 11 kills with three aces and 11 digs.
Caylee Brandes scored nine kills with two blocks.
Emma Ledford led the setters with 21 assists, while
Sadie Mae Calma dished out 12 assists with four kills and a team-high 12 digs.
Ciara Logan tallied three blocks with six kills.
As a team, the Quakers scored 37 kills with a .135 attack percentage and eight aces.
Trailing 5-3 in the first set, Earlham went on a 6-0 run to take the lead 8-5. Franklin came back with a 6-0 run to lead 13-10, but the Quakers strung together a 9-2 run to lead 20-16. After Franklin brought the score to 21-19, Earlham went on a 4-1 rally to win the frame.
Earlham continued the momentum straight into set two, opening with a 4-0 lead. After the Grizzlies scored four straight, the teams battled with four lead changes. Franklin tied the set at 19, and the Quakers scored three straight to lead 22-19. The Grizzlies fought back again with a 3-1 run, but Piatt scored a kill, and the Quakers won set two on an attack error by the visitors.
Franklin controlled most of set three, opening with a 5-0 run.The Grizzlies led 12-4 before Earlham worked a 6-1 run. Franklin then opened the lead back up to 20-13, but the Quakers found a way to score points. Four straight for Earlham brought the score to 20-17, and trailing 22-19, the Quakers scored five straight. The final run included two aces by
Grace Gwin, and two Quaker kills.
Earlham will continue HCAC action on Saturday at Mount St. Joseph. The Lions currently sit at 3-1 in conference play with a loss at Anderson last week. First serve is scheduled for 6 pm.
