The Kenyon volleyball team capped off its regular season with a decisive 3-0 victory over Oberlin College on Saturday morning at Tomsich Arena. Thanks to their efficient hitting, balanced contributions across the lineup and a steady defensive effort, the Owls ended on a strong note, taking the match by set scores of 25-23, 25-15 and 25-17. Then, on Tuesday, Kenyon took on Ohio Wesleyan University in the NCAC quarterfinals, falling 3-0 to end the Owls’ season.
Kenyon set the tone early on Saturday, rallying from a narrow deficit in the first set with a string of composed offensive sequences. Outside hitters Mariyah Rumpca-Veronese ’28 and Sophia Menke ’27 led the way at the net, combining for 16 kills on a .450 hitting percentage, while Aura Barinas ’26 added seven kills and a pair of timely digs to keep momentum on Kenyon’s side.
After edging out the first set, the Owls elevated their attack in the second, hitting an impressive .280 while limiting errors. Setter Hannah Schwemm ’27 directed the offense with precision, recording 17 assists and helping spread the ball effectively across the front line. Kenyon’s ability to sustain long rallies and capitalize on free balls highlighted the team’s growing offensive cohesion.
Defensively, Becca Gwynne ’26 and Lauren Blakemore ’26 anchored the backcourt with key digs that prevented the Yeowomen from finding any rhythm. The Owls’ frontline also stepped up, with Rumpca-Veronese and Gwynne each contributing to multiple blocks that swung momentum decisively in Kenyon’s favor.
Kenyon carried its energy into the final frame, closing out the match with confidence and composure. The Owls hit .244 as a team — one of their most efficient performances of the season — while limiting Oberlin to a .119 attack percentage.
On Tuesday, Kenyon traveled to No. 3 seed Ohio Wesleyan for the NCAC Tournament quarterfinals. Despite being the lower seed, the Owls fought hard in the first set, jumping out to a 17-12 lead after a huge service ace from Rumpca-Veronese. However, the Battling Bishops surged back, going on a long run to take a 22-21 advantage. Rumpca-Veronese recorded one more kill for Kenyon in the set, but that was all the Owls could muster, and they fell 25-23.
Despite the demoralizing opening set defeat, Kenyon responded well, kicking off the second set with a 9-6 lead. Once again, though, Ohio Wesleyan did not go away, and came all the way back to go up 19-13 before winning by a score of 25-17 to bring the Battling Bishops one set away from advancing. In the third set, the Owls struggled mightily to gain any momentum, and Ohio Wesleyan cruised to a 25-13 victory, ending Kenyon’s season in the quarterfinal round.
The loss brings Kenyon’s season to a close with a 6-20 overall record (2-5 NCAC). Despite the challenges of a rebuilding year, the team demonstrated resilience and steady improvement across the season, showcasing the Owls’ growth, depth and competitive edge heading into next fall.