Despite being in a new conference this year, the Hiram Terriers men’s volleyball team announced its presence in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference by jumping to the top of the standings. Although the Terriers suffered their first conference loss when PAC foe Thiel College edged them 25-21, 28-30, 18-25, 18-25, they rebounded with a victory against Adrian College in a 25-20, 25-16, 25-17 sweep in a tri-match last Saturday at the Price Gymnasium.
“They responded how I wanted them to,” said Coach Tyler North. “Obviously we would have loved to take both, but we knew that the Thiel game was going to be a battle and we knew it was going to be a tough one. The response we had with Adrian was exactly what we needed heading into spring break.”
In its inaugural season in the PAC, Hiram (10-6, 4-1) has found that its former conference rivalry with the Tomcats when the teams belonged to the Alleghany Mountain Collegiate Conference still remains as strong as ever. Despite already beating Thiel on the road this season, the Terriers were bested at home for their first PAC loss of the season, moving them into second place.
After winning the first set by a 25-21 margin, the tables turned on Hiram when the Tomcats’ ball control and service game dramatically improved in the second half of the second set. Although the Terriers pushed Thiel to match point three times, their poor service game prevented them from seizing victory, and they ultimately lost to their PAC foe.
The first-year coach said that Thiel’s proficient service game continued sparking its offense in the third and fourth periods, which took Hiram out of its system. The Terriers finished the match with 21 errors, only recording a .206 hitting percentage.
“That was something honestly on film, they had not shown the ability to serve that tough; that was really the difference late,” he added. “They took over serve and pass which has been our M.O. all year, we really have done a good job of controlling that first contact and they had not done that. That was kind of the big thing late.”
In addition to a potent service game, North said that the Tomcats also did a better job of running their offense through junior middle blocker Kaleb Proudfoot, who recorded 12 kills and three blocked shots.
In the second match, North said that Hiram enjoyed its strongest offensive match of the season, sweeping the Bulldogs out of the gym with a dynamic attack.
“That was the most efficient we have been all year and again it was that we stayed balanced, and we managed risk,” he noted. “Our biggest thing is, everybody wants to hit the ball as hard as they can and straight down as much as possible, but sometimes you just have to take a little off of it.”
From the start of the second match, Hiram’s ball control was precise, leading to a 25-20 victory in the first set and things kept flowing from there.
In his first season with Hiram, North said that he has discovered that the Terriers’ biggest strength has been their senior depth on offense. Seven seniors have returned from last year’s AMMC banner-winning squad and it has provided the team with wealth of playmakers.
“All seven are in the rotation for the most part,” he said. “It depends on match-ups and stuff but all seven have gotten good game time for us this year with five of them rarely every coming off of the court; all seven have contributed and started games for us.”
Hiram’s depth improved even further as two mid-season transfers joined the team, including senior power hitter Derek Chiang
“I am able to inherit a good roster and be able to add two pieces to it. Semester break has put us in good shape not only in games but depth-wise in practice as well,” noted North.
After a lackluster offensive performance against the Tomcats, Hiram responded in the second match by posting a .348 hitting percentage as well as recording 40 kills while only committing eight errors.
“That has been our big thing, not only are our starting arms good but our next couple off the bench are very good,” North said. “If we are balanced, you can’t key on one guy. If they focus on one of our guys, then the other three or four are going to kill you.”
After a home match against PAC rival Saint Vincent College, the Terriers will return after Spring Break to face PAC foe Chatham University for another home match on March 14 at 7 p.m.
