FRANKLIN, Ind. – The Franklin College volleyball team stepped onto the floor inside the Spurlock Center for the final time on Wednesday (Oct. 24) night, taking on the Hanover Panthers on senior day.

The Grizzlies (10-16, 3-5 HCAC) had their final home contest spoiled by the Panthers (13-13, 3-4 HCAC), falling in straight sets to their long-time rival.

The Panthers came out firing, jumping out to an 11-1 lead in the opening set. Franklin shook off the slow start and responded with a long run of their own, closing the gap to 14-10 midway through the set. But Franklin fell victim to another Hanover run, and the Panthers took the opening game 25-16.

Game two was all Hanover, with the Panthers taking the set 25-7 and a two-game lead. The final set produced a back-and-forth effort that saw the game knotted up late. But the Grizzlies couldn't get the go-ahead point and Hanover took the final three points of the match to close out a 25-22 game three win.

Kyra Harvey finished with a team-high eight kills, followed by seven from Lexie Gifford and five from Timber Falin. Mackenzie Waldran served up 19 assists and Abigail Sewell finished with a trio of aces. On defense, Libby Stahl led the team with 12 digs followed by 11 from both Gifford and Waldran.

The Grizzlies hit the road on Saturday for their final match of the regular season. Franklin travels to Cincinnati, Ohio to take on the Mount St. Joseph Lions. The Grizzlies sit a half-game behind Hanover and Manchester for one of the final spots in the HCAC Tournament. First serve is set for 1:00 p.m.