FRANKLIN, Ind. — Transylvania University volleyball fell to Franklin College in four sets Saturday afternoon at the Spurlock Center. After dropping the opening two sets, the Pioneers responded with a strong third-set performance before narrowly falling in the fourth. Franklin secured the victory 25-14, 25-21, 21-25, 27-25, moving Transylvania to 9-14 overall and 1-4 in HCAC play.
Franklin established control early, recording 16 kills while hitting .500 in the opening set to secure a 25-14 victory. The Pioneers responded with a more competitive second set, battling through 11 ties and six lead changes. Despite 14 kills from Transylvania, Franklin pulled away to take the set 25-21 and establish a 2-0 advantage. Facing a two-set deficit, Transylvania delivered its strongest offensive performance of the afternoon in the third set. The Pioneers recorded 16 kills with just four attack errors on 29 attempts, hitting .414 while holding Franklin to a .143 hitting percentage. Transylvania secured a 25-21 victory to extend the match.
The fourth set featured another competitive battle, with seven ties and five lead changes as the Pioneers fought to force a decisive fifth set. Transylvania recorded 15 kills while hitting .220, but Franklin edged the Pioneers 27-25 to close out the match.
Addie Atcher led the Transylvania attack with a match-high 17 kills on 42 attempts, adding three block assists.
Cecelia Roberts delivered an efficient performance at the net, recording 10 kills without an attack error on 19 attempts for a team-best .526 hitting percentage. Roberts also contributed a solo block, a block assist and a service ace.
Payton Avilez added eight kills, while
Peyton Mast and
Chloe Jensen each finished with seven. Jensen hit .333 and contributed four block assists to lead the Pioneers in that category.
Megan Sweeney directed the Transylvania offense with 36 assists and six digs, while
Julia Brown added five assists, two service aces and a team-high 18 digs.
Soleil Sabin followed with 17 digs, while
Reece Houston contributed nine.
Transylvania finished with 52 kills, 48 assists, three service aces and 62 digs while hitting .190 as a team. Franklin recorded 55 kills and hit .227 for the match.
Transylvania University is a proud member of NCAA Division III and the HCAC. To keep up to date with all of Transylvania Athletics, check out our website at transysports.com and follow @TransySports on Instagram.
