On Saturday, the Kenyon volleyball team took on Geneva College (Penn.) and the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg, decisively sweeping both in a huge improvement from the Owls’ last few matches. The Owls increased their winning streak to three games on Wednesday against Capital University, scoring a 3-0 win. With conference matchups looming, these two victories help put Kenyon back on track with an improved record of 5-9.

In their first game on Saturday against Geneva, the Owls found themselves in a 28-26 nail-biter. The two teams went back and forth the entire set, but the outcome was ultimately decided by a remarkable attack from Sophia Menke ’27. Kenyon never lost focus, largely thanks to the performance of setter Hannah Schwemm ’27, who kept the offense moving. Schwemm tallied nine assists in the first set alone, and 26 by the end of the game. 

In the second set, the score was balanced 9-9 until the Owls went on a few short runs and the Golden Tornadoes failed to pull themselves back into it. The final score was 25-18. The Owls took a 12-9 lead early in the third set before finding themselves in a slump as Geneva went on a six-point run, its longest of the match. However, the Owls retaliated with a hot streak of their own, taking the serve back and pulling away to 23-17. Despite the Golden Tornadoes’ best efforts to claw their way back, the match ended with a kill from Olivia Gumz ’27, making the final score 25-20. 

Kenyon’s offense could not be slowed, as Geneva recorded just a single block the entire match. In addition to coordinating the Owls’ attacks, Schwemm led the team in digs with eight, followed by Makena Rodriguez ’30’s seven. 

The Owls kept this momentum rolling into their second match of the day as they took on Pitt-Greensburg. Kenyon got out to a 4-0 lead and never eased up. The first set ended 25-17. The Owls sustained their lead in the second set, cruising to a 25-19 victory. 

In the final set of the day, the teams traded the serve back and forth early on —  until Kenyon went on a run that put them ahead 11-5. The Owls made their way to a 17-5 lead, and ultimately finished off the set 25-16, maintaining dominance the entire game. Abby Jackson ’29 got to show off her skills as a setter in this match, totaling 18 assists. Menke once again proved herself as a hitter, recording nine kills, the team high for the second game in a row. Kenyon controlled every stat line, especially aces, of which the Owls tallied 12 to the Bobcats’ three.

On Wednesday, the Owls hit the road to Capital University. Historically, the teams were 5-5 going into the match and Kenyon was vying to take the lead. The first set was neck and neck as the teams fought for the lead. However, the Owls showed more grit, and a kill from Schwemm took the set for the Owls, 25-21.

The Owls continued their success with another win in the second set, 25-22. Abby Stenger ’30 and Menke set the tone at the beginning with two kills. While Capital worked hard to keep up, Kenyon always remained ahead. Four back-to-back service aces from Anna Flota ’27 kept the streak going, paired with kills from Gumz, Menke and Stenger, which secured the win. The Owls saw similar successes in the third, as Kenyon clinched a 25-20 score and a 3-0 match. 

The Owls open conference play this Saturday, away at The College of Wooster, hoping to continue their momentum.