Volleyball
Panthers earn HCAC academic honors
Ten Hanover College student-athletes have earned academic honors from the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference. The league announced its fall academic all-conference selections from each of its nine schools.
Hanover's fall academic honorees include junior football player Joe Vormohr (Portland, Ind.), senior cross country runners Jeremy Brownlee (Franklin, Ind) and Geoff Darmstaedter (Des Peres, Mo.), sophomore cross country runners Whitney Helton (Winslow, Ind) and Shawna McLetchie (Lexington, Ky.), sophomore soccer players Abby Simpson (Lexington, Ky.), Brandon Bottorff (Jeffersonville, Ind.) and J.P. Presley (Sunman, Ind.), and sophomore volleyball players Natalie Fansher (Noblesville, Ind.) and Megan Oilar (Noblesville, Ind.).
To qualify, the scholars must have a cumulative grade-point average of 3.5 or higher and be a varsity athlete. The cumulative grade-point average is the student-athlete's level at the end of the semester preceding the close of the fall season. Scholars also must complete the equivalent of a full academic year and be enrolled on a full-time basis at the institution to be eligible for the academic honor.
Four tabbed for all-HCAC volleyball team
Sophomore outside hitter Rachel Kloentrup (Morning View, Ky.) was one of four Hanover College volleyball players named to the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference's all-league team.
Kloentrup was a first-team selection for the Panthers. Senior middle blocker Erin Huntington (North Manchester, Ind.), freshman setter Danessa Cutter (Milan, Ind.) and freshman outside hitter Kirsten Brandvik (Indianapolis, Ind.) each received honorable mention recognition.
Brandvik, additionally, was named to the Heartland Conference's six-member all-freshman team.
Kloentrup led Hanover's offensive attack with 297 kills and a 2.58 kills per game average. She also ranked second on the squad with 307 digs and 49 totals blocks, including a team-best 25 solo blocks.
Huntington led the Panthers' defense with 92 blocks, including a team-high 67 block assists. She shared top honors with 25 solo blocks and also posted 128 kills and 59 digs during the season.
Cutter paced Hanover with 439 assists. She also ranked third on the squad with 179 kills and tallied 112 digs, 41 blocks and a team-best 30 service aces.
Brandvik, who was named most valuable player at the Hanover Invitational early in the season, ranked second on the squad with 292 kills and third with 195 digs. She tallied 39 total blocks and 21 aces.
Hanover, under head coach Peter Preocanin, placed fourth in the HCAC with a 5-3 record. The Panthers finished the 2008 campaign with a 12-19 overall mark.
2008 All-Heartland Conference Honorees
Season closes with setback in HCAC tourney
The Hanover College volleyball squad's 2008 season came to an end with a three-game loss to Bluffton University (Ohio) in the opening round of the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference tournament. The six-team event, hosted by the College of Mount St. Joseph (Ohio), was held Nov. 8-9 in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Bluffton handled the Panthers 25-16, 25-21, 25-16, to post its 10th victory in its last 11 outings. The Beavers, the No. 5 seed in the tourney, improved to 21-9 overall with the win. Hanover capped its season with a 12-19 mark, including a fourth-place finish in the HCAC standings with a 5-3 record.
Freshman outside hitter Kirsten Brandvik (Indianapolis, Ind.) paced Hanover with three kills, two service aces, 12 digs and a block. Senior middle blocker Erin Huntington (North Manchester, Ind.) posted five kills and two block assists in her last collegiate outing. Classmate Julianne Dietz (Villa Hills, Ky.) led the squad with 13 digs in her final appearance for the Panthers.
Sophomore outside hitter Rachel Kloentrup (Morning View, Ky.) led Hanover's attack with six kills. Freshman setter Meagan Dunn (Williamstown, Ky.) registered a team-best 13 assists.
Heartland Conference Tournament information
Hanover vs. Bluffton (Ohio) stats
Hanover sweeps Franklin in regular-season finale
Hanover College's volleyball team tuned up for the coming Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference tournament with a three-game victory against Franklin College, Tuesday, Nov. 4, in Franklin, Ind.
Hanover defeated the Grizzlies 25-13, 25-20, 25-20. The triumph snapped the Panthers' five-match losing streak.
Freshman setter Danessa Cutter (Milan, Ind.) racked up nine kills, 14 assists, three service aces and five digs to spur the Panthers. Sophomore outside hitter Rachel Kloentrup (Morning View, Ky.) totaled 10 kills and a team-high 14 digs, while freshman outside hitter Kirsten Brandvik (Indianapolis, Ind.) led the squad with 11 kills.
Freshman setter Meagan Dunn (Williamstown, Ky.) totaled a team-best 20 assists and senior libero Julianne Dietz (Villa Hills, Ky.) added 12 digs for Hanover, which improved to 12-18 overall and 5-3 in the HCAC with the win.
Franklin ended its season with a 3-23 record. The Grizzlies finished 0-8 in the Heartland Conference.
Heartland Conference Tournament information
Streak ends with setback at MSJ
The Hanover College volleyball squad's three-match winning streak ended with a three-game loss at the College of Mount St. Joseph (Ohio). The Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference tilt was played Tuesday, Oct. 28, in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Mount St. Joseph, ranked 27th in the nation, posted a 25-21,25-17,25-23 victory against the Panthers to improve to 22-9 overall and 6-1 in the HCAC. Hanover, which had won four of its last six entering the contest, dipped to 11-14 overall and 4-3 in the league.
Freshman outside hitter Kirsten Brandvik (Indianapolis, Ind.) totaled seven kills and an ace, while senior middle hitter Erin Huntington (North Manchester, Ind.) had six kills to lead Hanover's offense. Senior libero Julianne Dietz (Villa Hills, Ky.) posted a team-best 12 digs for the Panthers' defense.
Freshman setter Meagan Dunn (Williamstown, Ky.) registered a team-high 15 assists. Freshman Danessa Cutter (Milan, Ind.) added 10 assists.
Hanover vs. Mount St. Joseph (Ohio) stats
Panthers roll to third straight victory
After falling in the first game, the Hanover College volleyball team rallied to post a 3-1 victory against Transylvania University (Ky.) Wednesday, Oct. 22, in Lexingtion, Ky. Hanover, which notched its third consecutive conference victory, defeated the Pioneers 21-25, 25-15, 25-19, 25-22.
Rachel Kloentrup (Morning View, Ky.), a sophomore outside hitter, led the Panthers' attack with 16 kills and two solo blocks, while freshman outside hitter Kirsten Brandvik (Indianapolis, Ind.) chipped in with nine kills.
Freshman setters Meagan Dunn (Williamstown, Ky.) and Danessa Cutter (Milan, Ind.) collected 39 assists in the outing. Dunn led Hanover with 20 assists and three service aces. Cutter posted 19 assists to go with six kills, two solo blocks and three block assists.
With the triumph, Hanover raised its record to 11-13 overall and 4-2 in the Heartland Conference. Transylvania, meanwhile, dipped to 10-15 overall and 2-4 in the league.
Hanover vs. Transylvania (Ky.) stats
Hanover delivers Senior Night sweep
Hanover College's volleyball program capped its Senior Night celebration with a three-game sweep of the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. The Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference match was played Wednesday, Oct. 15, in Collier Arena.
Hanover notched its 10th win of the season with a 25-15, 26-24, 25-23 victory against the Engineers. The triumph bumped the Panthers' record to 10-13 overall and 3-2 in the league.
Senior libero Julianne Dietz (Villa Hills, Ky.) contributed a team-high 13 digs and three service aces in her final home appearance. Classmate Erin Huntington (North Manchester, Ind.), a middle blocker, had four kills, two aces and five block assists.
Sophomore outside hitter Rachel Kloentrup (Morning View, Ky.) posted 11 kills and added nine digs to spur Hanover's attack. Freshman outside hitter Kirsten Brandvik (Indianapolis, Ind.) added nine kills and five digs.
Freshman setters Danessa Cutter (Milan, Ind.) and Meagan Dunn (Williamstown, Ky.) combined for 31 assists. Cutter tallied 16 assists, seven kills and six digs. Dunn had 15 assists and five digs for the Panthers.
Rose-Hulman fell to 16-10 and 2-2 in the HCAC.
Panthers even HCAC mark with win against Bluffton
Hanover College's volleyball squad evened its Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference record with a three-game victory against Bluffton University (Ohio). The HCAC tilt was held Saturday, Oct. 11, as part of Hanover's 81st Homecoming celebration.
The Panthers, now 8-13 overall, posted a 25-18,25-20,27-25 triumph against the Beavers to improve to 2-2 in the conference.
Sophomore outside hitter Rachel Kloentrup (Morning View, Ky.) paced Hanover with nine kills, four digs and a pair of solo blocks. Freshman outside hitter Kirsten Brandvik (Indianapolis, Ind.) added seven kills, eight digs and a service ace for the Panthers.
Hanover drops HCAC decision to Anderson
The Hanover College volleyball team dropped a four-game decision to Anderson University in a Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference match, Wednesday, Oct. 8, in Collier Arena.
Anderson evened its record at 12-12 overall and improved to 4-1 in the HCAC with a 25-19,25-12,21-25,25-12, victory against the Panthers.
Freshman outside hitter Kirsten Brandvik (Indianapolis, Ind.) led Hanover's attack with nine kills and sophomore outside hitter Rachel Kloentrup (Morning View, Ky.) added eight kills, eight digs and two service aces for the Panthers (8-13; 1-2 HCAC).
Senior libero Julianne Dietz (Villa Hills, Ky.) posted a team-best nine digs in the match. Freshman setters Danessa Cutter (Milan, Ind.) and Meagan Dunn (Williamstown, Ky.) combined for 29 assists. Cutter tallied 15 assists, while Dunn added 14 assists.
Panthers split weekend matches
Hanover College's volleyball squad split two matches Saturday, Oct. 4, in North Manchester, Ind. The Panthers posted a four-game victory against host Manchester College in a Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference tilt before falling to Purdue University-North Central in the day's finale.
Hanover evened its Heartland Conference mark at 1-1 with an 18-25,25-14,25-20,25-21 win against Manchester in the opener.
Freshman outside hitter Kirsten Brandvik (Indianapolis, Ind.) had 17 kills and 13 digs to lead the Panthers' attack. Freshman setter Meagan Dunn (Williamstown, Ky.) totaled a season-high 26 assists. Sophomore outside hitter Rachel Kloentrup (Morning View, Ky.) had eight kills and a team-best 19 digs.
Hanover, now 8-12 overall on the season, dropped a 23-25,25-19,25-23,25-14 decision to Purdue-North Central in the afternoon's final outing.
Brandvik posted a team-high 13 kills, while freshman setter Danessa Cutter (Milan, Ind.) collected 24 assists and senior libero Julianne Dietz (Villa Hills, Ky.) added 13 digs for the Panthers.
Hanover vs. Purdue-North Central stats
Marian outlasts Hanover in five games
Marian College extended the Hanover College volleyball team's losing streak to five matches with a five-game victory against the Panthers, Monday, Sept. 29, in Collier Arena.
Marian improved to 11-7 on the season with a 22-25,25-16,22-25,25-15,15-7 win against Hanover. The Panthers, which have split the past eight matches against the Knights, dropped to 7-11 overall with the setback.
Sophomore outside hitter Rachel Kloentrup (Morning View, Ky.) and freshman setter Danessa Cutter (Milan, Ind.) combined for 21 kills. Kloentrup had 11 kills and a team-high 16 digs. Cutter added 10 kills, 18 assists a pair of service aces.
Sophomore setter Megan Oilar (Noblesville, Ind.) contributed a team-high 20 assists, while senior libero Julianne Dietz (Villa Hills, Ky.) totaled 15 digs for the Panthers.
Hanover drops three matches at MSJ Fall Classic
The Hanover College volleyball squad lost three matches while competing at the College of Mount St. Joseph (Ohio) Fall Classic, Saturday, Sept. 27, in Cincinnati, Ohio.
The Panthers, which dipped to 7-10 on the season and have lost four straight matches, fell to Asbury College (Ky.), Baldwin-Wallace College (Ohio) and Ohio Northern University.
Asbury posted a 26-24,25-22,25-14, victory against Hanover. All 18 players saw action for the Panthers, with freshman outside hitter Molly Pierson (Cincinnati, Ohio) and freshman setter Danessa Cutter (Milan, Ind.) leading the way with six kills apiece.
Senior defensive specialist Julianne Dietz (Villa Hills, Ky.) chalked up a team-best 10 digs, while Cutter also added seven assists.
Baldwin-Wallace dispatched Hanover in four games with a 25-18,21-25,25-20,26-24, win against the Panthers. Sophomore outside hitter Rachel Kloentrup (Morning View, Ky.) led the Panthers' effort with 14 kills, 10 digs, three block assists and two service aces.
Freshman setter Meagan Dunn (Williamstown, Ky.) had 12 digs, seven assists and a pair of kills, while Dietz led the squad with 13 digs.
Nationally-ranked Ohio Northern defeated Hanover in four games. The Polar Bears, ranked 13th in the nation, beat the Panthers 25-10,25-19,22-25,25-8.
Sophomore defender Natalie Fansher (Noblesville, Ind.) totaled a team-high 13 digs for the Panthers. Sophomore setter Megan Oilar (Noblesville, Ind.) tallied 16 assists and Dunn added 14 assists. Kloentrup and freshman outside hitter Kirsten Brandvik (Indianapolis, Ind.) had nine kills each.
Hanover vs. Asbury (Ky.) stats
Hanover vs. Baldwin-Wallace (Ohio) stats
Hanover vs. Ohio Northern stats
Defiance rallies to edge Panthers in five games
Hanover College's volleyball squad tipped off its 2008 Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference slate with a five-game loss to Defiance College (Ohio). The contest was played Friday, Sept. 26, in Collier Arena.
Defiance posted a 23-25,25-17,25-21,13-25,17-15 victory against the Panthers. The Yellow Jackets (9-8; 1-0 HCAC) rallied from a 9-2 deficit to win the decisive fifth game.
Sophomore outside hitter Rachel Kloentrup (Morning View, Ky.) posted team highs with 24 kills and 17 digs to lead Hanover's attack. Freshman outside hitter Kirsten Brandvik (Indianapolis, Ind.) added 18 kills and eight digs for the Panthers.
Senior Julianne Dietz (Villa Hills, Ky.) had 15 digs and racked up a season-high six service aces. Freshman setter Danessa Cutter (Milan, Ind.) tallied 23 assists. Sophomore setter Megan Oilar (Noblesville, Ind.) chipped in 21 assists for Hanover, now 7-7 overall and 0-1 in the league.
Hanover vs. Defiance (Ohio) stats
Hanover outlasts Spalding in five games
Hanover College's volleyball squad snapped a two-match skid with a five-game victory against Spalding University (Ky.), Tuesday, Sept. 23, in Louisville, Ky.
Hanover, now 7-6 on the season, defeated the Golden Eagles 22-25,25-21,25-19,22-25,16-14.
Freshman outside hitter Kirsten Brandvik (Indianapolis, Ind.) led the Panthers with 10 kills, 10 digs, four block assists and a service ace. Sophomore outside hitter Rachel Kloentrup (Morning View, Ky.) notched nine kills and a team-high 22 digs.
Setters Megan Oilar (Noblesville, Ind.) and Danessa Cutter (Milan, Ind.) combined for 37 assists. Cutter, a freshman, posted a team-best 20 assists. Oilar tallied 17 assists.
Senior middle hitter Erin Huntington (North Manchester, Ind.) added two solo blocks, four block assists and four kills.
Hanover vs. Spalding (Ky.) stats
Panthers close Centre Classic with setbacks
The Hanover College volleyball team dropped two matches in the second day of competition at the Centre College (Ky.) Classic. The event was completed Sunday, Sept. 14, in Danville, Ky.
After two wins in the first day of the classic, Hanover dropped a four-game match to Spalding University (Ky.) to open the second day. The Pelicans edged the Panthers, 28-26,25-12,20-25,25-23. Host Centre swept Hanover in three games in the classic's finale. The Colonels defeated the Panthers, 30-28,25-18,25-19.
Sophomore outside hitter Rachel Kloentrup (Morning View, Ky.) paced Hanover against Spalding with 11 kills, 13 digs and 5.5 blocks. Freshman setter Danessa Cutter (Milan, Ind.) added 18 assists and four service aces in the loss to the Pelicans.
Hanover takes two to kick off Centre Classic
Hanover College's volleyball squad grabbed two victories in the first day of action at the Centre College (Ky.) Classic. The two-day event is being held Sept. 13-14 in Danville, Ky.
The Panthers, now 6-4 on the season, posted a four-game win against Asbury College (Ky.) in the first match. The Panthers defeated the Eagles, 25-17,25-21,26-28,25-12. Hanover handled Knox College (Ill.) in four games in the second outing. The Panthers, which have won five of the squad's last six matches, beat the Prairie Fire, 25-11,23-25,25-13,25-11.
Sophomore outside hitter Rachel Kloentrup (Morning View, Ky.) led Hanover's attack against Asbury with 13 kills and 11 digs. Freshman setter Danessa Cutter (Milan, Ind.) totaled 15 assists, three service aces and two blocks against the Eagles.
Freshman outside hitter Kirsten Brandvik (Indianapolis, Ind.) tallied 11 kills and four block assists to help lift the Panthers to the victory against Knox. Sophomore setter Megan Oilar (Noblesville, Ind.) had a team-high 19 assists, while senior defensive specialist Julianne Dietz (Villa Hills, Ky.) posted nine digs and four service aces in the battle with the Prairie Fire.
Hanover wins invitational championship 
Hanover College posted a five-game victory against DePauw University to win the 2008 Hanover Volleyball Invitational. The match was held Saturday, Sept. 6, in Collier Arena.
Hanover, now 4-4 on the season, defeated the Tigers, 25-21,17-25,25-17,22-25,15-12 to win the title. The clash marked the second consecutive year the squads had met in the championship match. DePauw won both the 2007 and 2006 tournament crowns.
Hanover completed pool play with a 2-1 record. The Panthers swept Anderson University, 25-22,25-12,25-13 in the squad's final round-robin match. DePauw, meanwhile, outlasted Franklin College to finish 3-0 in its pool. The Tigers (4-4) defeated the Grizzlies, 25-15,25-23,21-25-23-25,15-12, to earn a slot in the finals.
| All-Tournament Team | |
| Kirsten Brandvik - MVP | Hanover |
| Erin Cunningham | DePauw |
| Morgan Kennedy | Spalding |
| Rachel Kloentrup | Hanover |
| Lindsy Little | Maryville |
| Emily Smith | DePauw |
| Christina Speer | Principia |
Maryville College (Tenn.) outlasted Spalding University (Ky.) in a five-game, three-hour battle for third place. The Scots (6-2) defeated the Pelicans 19-25,34-32,25-19,14-25,15-13.
Spalding dipped to 5-4 overall with the setback.
Principia College (Ill.), now 8-2 overall this season, swept Anderson (4-4) in a clash for fifth place. The Panthers defeated the Ravens, 25-23,25-19,25-21.
Centre College (Ky.) needed five games to hold off Franklin (2-6). The Colonels, 4-4 overall this season, beat the Grizzlies 20-25,25-13,25-17,21-25,15-10 in the seventh-place match.
Franklin fell to 2-6 on the season after the inviational.
2008 Hanover Invitational Volleyball Tournament
| Pool A | Pool B | |
| Anderson, 1-3 | DePauw, 3-1 | |
| Centre (Ky.), 2-2 | Franklin, 0-4 | |
| Hanover, 3-1 | Principia (Ill.), 2-2 | |
| Maryville (Tenn.), 3-1 | Spalding (Ky.), 2-2 |
Hanover Invitational Match Schedule
| Sept.6 | ||
| 9:15 a.m. | Hanover def. Anderson 25-22,25-12,25-13 | |
| Spalding (Ky.) def. Principia (Ill.) 25-23,21-25,22-25,25-23,15-10 | ||
| 11 a.m. | Maryville (Tenn.) def. Centre (Ky.) 25-17,25-20,25-23 | |
| DePauw def. Franklin 25-15,25-23,21-25,23-25,15-12 | ||
| 1 p.m. | 7th place - Centre (Ky.) def. Franklin 20-25,25-13,25-17,21-25,15-10 | |
| 5th place - Principia (Ill.) def. Anderson 25-23,25-19,25-21 | ||
| 2:45 p.m. | 3rd place - Maryville (Tenn.) def. Spalding (Ky.) 19-25,34-32,25-19,14-25,15-13 | |
| Championship - Hanover def. DePauw 25-21,17-25,25-17,22-25,15-12 | ||
| Sept.5 | ||
| 3:15 p.m. | Hanover def. Maryville (Tenn.) 20-25,25-13,25-21,23-25,21-19 | |
| Spalding (Ky.) def. Franklin 25-13,25-19,25-22 | ||
| 5 p.m. | Maryville (Tenn.) def. Anderson, 25-17,18-25,25-20,25-18 | |
| Principia (Ill.) def. Franklin 25-20, 25-22,26-24 | ||
| 6:45 p.m. | Centre (Ky.) def. Hanover 25-23, 26-24, 25-23 | |
| DePauw def. Spalding (Ky.) 25-16,23-25,23-25,25-18,15-12 | ||
| 8:30 p.m. | Anderson def. Centre (Ky.) 25-11,25-20, 25-21 | |
| DePauw (Ky.) def. Principia (Ill.) 25-17,19-25,17-25,25-11,15-7 |
Panthers place sixth at Capital Invitational 
The Hanover College volleyball team placed sixth in the eight-team Capital University (Ohio) Invitational. The Panthers, which split two matches in the opening day of the event, dropped two matches Saturday, August 30, in the final day of the tournanent.
Hanover lost to Adrian College (Mich.) 3-1 in its final pool-play outing. The Bulldogs handled the Panthers 25-14, 23-25, 25-14, 25-21.
Outside hitter Rachel Kloentrup (Morning View, Ky.) totaled eight kills and 13 digs to pace Hanover's attack. Freshman setter Danessa Cutter (Milan, Ind.) posted seven kills, seven assists and six digs. Sophomore setter Megan Oilar (Noblesville, Ind.) had a team-high 13 assists for the Panthers.
In its tournament finale, Hanover dropped a three-game match to Westminster College (Pa.) in the battle for fifth place. The Lady Titans (3-1) stymied the Panthers, 25-21, 25-10, 25-18.
Kloentrup tallied team-highs with seven kills and 13 digs. Senior defensive specialist Julianne Dietz (Villa Hills, Ky.) had 12 digs and Oilar added a team-best 11 assists for Hanover (2-2).
Hanover vs. Adrian (Mich.) stats
Hanover vs. Westminster (Pa.) stats
Hanover splits opening matches at Capital Invitational
Hanover College's volleyball squad split two matches in pool play during the opening day of the Capital University (Ohio) Invitational. The matches were held Friday, August 29, in Columbus, Ohio.
Host Capital (2-0) swept the Panthers in three games in the opener. The Crusaders defeated Hanover 25-13, 25-15, 25-23.
Outside hitters Rachel Kloentrup (Morning View, Ky.) and Molly Pierson (Cincinnati, Ohio) combined for 16 kills in the loss to Capital . Kloentrup, a sophomore, totaled 10 kills. Pierson, a freshman, added six kills in her first collegiate match.
Senior defensive specialist Julianne Dietz (Villa Hills, Ky.) posted 13 digs and freshman setter Danessa Cutter (Milan, Ind.) had 11 assists for the Panthers (1-1).
The Panthers rebounded in the evening's second match, handling the Rochester Institute of Technology (N.Y.) 25-17, 25-19, 13-25, 25-21.
Freshman outside hitter Kirsten Brandvik (Indianapolis, Ind.) led Hanover's effort with 10 kills and 11 digs. Kloentrup added eight kills and a team-high 13 digs. Cutter and sophomore setter Megan Oilar (Noblesville, Ind.) combined for 25 assists.
Hanover vs. Capital (Ohio) stats
Hanover vs. Rochester Institute of Technology (N.Y.) stats
