JOHN KOVACH | Colleges Taylor, Hlebovy give Hiram boost

HIRAM -- It has been a historic season of firsts for the Hiram College volleyball team, with two Youngstown-area women playing prominent roles on the precedent-setting squad.
Sophomore setter Megan Taylor (Lakeview) and junior outside hitter Jen Hlebovy (Boardman) helped Hiram win its first North Coast Athletic Conference regular-season championship (8-0), qualify for the NCAA Tournament for the first time and achieve its best season.
In addition, Taylor and senior middle hitter Shana Toth (Mantua Crestwood) both were named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association Division III All-America honorable mention team -- the first time any Hiram volleyball player has made All-American.
Taylor and Toth also were selected to the AVCA Division III All-Great Lakes Region first team -- the first time any Hiram volleyball player made All-Region.
Hlebovy also was part of the All-Region precedent by making the AVCR Division III All-Great Lakes Region honorable mention team.
Toth, Dempsey tops
Toth was named NCAC Player of the Year as well as making the All-NCAC first-team along with Taylor. Hlebovy made the All-NCAC second team.
And coach Ellen Dempsey was named NCAC Coach of the Year for the third time in her five seasons at Hiram.
Dempsey guided the Terriers to a 28-5 overall mark to boost her five-season record at the school to 113-56, and her 13-year career coaching ledger to 280-202.
Taylor had 1,511 assists with an average of 13.49 per game to lead the NCAC and place second in the nation in that category. She also was second on the team in service aces with 46 and third in digs with 336 for an average of 3.00, and fourth in blocks with 62 for an average of 0.55.
Hlebovy is standout
Hlebovy had 241 kills for an average of 2.17 per game and had a hitting percentage of .253.
She also ranked No. 2 on the team in digs (371) for a 3.34 average, and was No. 3 in blocks (73) for a 0.66 average.
Toth ranked in the top five on her team in every statistical category this season. She led her team in kills (393) for a 3.67 and hitting percentage (.363), and was second in blocks (113) for an average of 1.06.
And Toth ranked No. 5 in the NCAC in hitting percentage, kills and blocks, and fourth in points.
Mulligan also helps team
Also on the Hiram team is Megan Mulligan (Poland), a sophomore middle hitter-outside hitter.
Mulligan played in 28 games and had a .316 hitting percentage, 25 kills, seven blocks and six digs.
Rounding out the Terriers' squad are senior Beth Groselle, juniors Michelle Kozempa, Liz Moore and Jill Howard, sophomores Renee Haggard and Katie Moore and freshmen Leah Schaffer and Sarah Schoenhagen.
Hiram's assistant coach is Steve Brewer, who is in his second season.
B-W's Pietro is All-OAC
BEREA -- Matt Pietro, a sophomore forward for the Baldwin-Wallace College soccer team from Canfield High, has been selected to the All-Ohio Athletic Conference honorable mention team.
Pietro led B-W in scoring with 17 points on seven goals three assists, and also in game-wining goals with five, to help the Yellow Jackets to a 14-6-1 record, including 6-2-1 in the OAC during the regular season for third place.
The 14 wins tied the school record set last season. B-W is now 28-11-2 for the last two seasons and 40-18-2 over the last three years.
For Pietro's two-year career, he has 25 points on 10 goals and five assists.
kovach@vindy.com