HIRAM, Ohio  -- Sophomore Bailey Gawley racked up a game-high 15 kills for the Gators, but Allegheny dropped a 3-0, road North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) decision to the hard-hitting Hiram Terriers on Wednesday evening.

Gawley led the charge for a formidable Allegheny front line, complimenting her 15-kill performance with.448 clip after only two attack errors on 29 total swings.  Freshman Morgan Bush picked up six kills as junior Sarah Swartz recorded four. 

Freshman Justine Kelly earned a team-leading 23 assists while senior Catherine Kasianowicz earned a team-high 17 digs.  Freshman Terra Schall complimented 10 digs with a team-leading three service aces, while fellow first year Leah Franzluebbers picked up two blocks with a solo stop and a block assist.

Hiram attackers erupted for 21 kills and a .613 hitting percentage to earn a 25-17, first set win.  The two squads were tied, 10-10, in the first set before a five-point run from the Terriers gave the home squad the early lead.  In the second set, an 11-11 tie turned into a 14-11 Hiram advantage. 

The Gators were able to battle back and tie the match at 21-21, but another late Terrier run iced the Allegheny rally, as Hiram earned the second set win, 25-22, to take the two-set advantage.

Allegheny picked up an 8-3 lead in the third, but Hiram slowly started to claw their way back into the set.  The Gators were unable to hold back the Terrier attack that finished the match hitting .381 as a team, as Hiram vaulted out to a 21-17 lead late in the set, finishing the match with a .341 hitting percentage in the third set, including 18 kills, winning the set 25-19 to clinch the sweep.

The Gators will next take a short break from conference play to travel to Houghton, N.Y. for a weekend tri-match against the hosting Houghton Highlanders and Alfred.  Allegheny will start the tri-match against the Saxons at 12 p.m. before taking on Houghton at 2 p.m.  The Gators' next NCAC bout will take place on take place on Saturday, Oct. 18 for the squad's homecoming matchup against Kenyon at 6 p.m.