SANDUSKY, Ohio – In its season debut, Suffolk volleyball dropped a 3-1 decision to Hiram at the Great Lakes Crossover at the Cedar Point Sports Center. The setback came via set scores 24-26, 25-23, 25-23 and 25-19. 

THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 1 | Hiram 3
RECORDS: Suffolk (0-1) | Hiram (1-0)  

HOW IT HAPPENED
Suffolk took a back-and-forth first set, 26-24, before he fell by identical 25-23 margins in the second and third sets, respectively, to slip behind 2-1. 

The Terriers took the fourth, 25-19, to lock up the Rams losing fate. 

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

• McKenna Keowen contributed on both sides of the net with a 13-kill, 13-dig double-double. She added three aces and one assist. 
• Grace Cervenka recorded nine kills, two digs, one assist and one block. 
• Jayla Martinez and Aislinn Lanigan split the setting role. The former handed out 15 assists and the latter dished out 16 assists. 
• Moran Kelsey logged 25 digs to anchor the defensive unit that received three blocks from Sami Shore. 

NOTEWORTHY

• The Rams moved to 8-12 on day one of the year dating back to 2003. 
• Suffolk hit the road for its first match of the campaign for the third straight season and third time under Scott Blanchard's leadership. 
• The Rams played in a four-set opening match for the first time since 2017 when Suffolk defeated Mass. Maritime, 3-1.  
• Suffolk moved to 1-1 in a four-set opening day match all-time. 
• Suffolk met Hiram for the first time. 
• Keowen tallied her sixth double-double, first since Nov. 1, 2022
• Lanigan, Shore, Natalie Huoth and Emily Norgrove made their collegiate debuts. 

WHAT'S NEXT?
Suffolk concludes its opening-day action tonight versus Trine at 6 p.m.