SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - The second-seeded Hiram Terriers advanced to the North Coast Athletic Conference Tournament championship game for the second straight year on Friday with a 3-1 victory over the third-seeded College of Wooster Fighting Scots. The Terriers will take on host Wittenberg, ranked second in the nation and winners of the last seven NCAC Tournament titles, on Saturday at 2 p.m. in the HPER Center.

Hiram won the first two games in convincing fashion, much as the Terriers did during the regular season meeting between the two schools. But Wooster rallied in Game 3 to take a 30-24 decision, forcing a decisive Game 4, in which Hiram prevailed by a 30-28 count. That game went back and forth several times before Hiram finally served it out.

The Terriers, who improved to 23-11 on the season, had balance throughout the stats sheet. Offensively, five players had at least nine kills, led by Shana Toth with 15, Beth Groselle with 12 and Kathleen Moore with 11. Megan Taylor finished with 37 assists. Defensively, five players were in double figures in digs, led by Jill Howard with 24, Groselle with 20 and Taylor with 19.

Wooster was paced offensively by Carolyn Ciriegio with 15 kills and Tiffany Rice with 12 kills, and Heather Wolff was high with 37 assists. Defensively, Mary-Kate Fowkes posted 27 digs and Ashley Quisenberry added 22 digs. Sarah Marschall led all players with four blocks.

2004 Volleyball Schedule/Results