Brandywine Falls In Four-Set Opener

IMMACULATA, Pa. – Immaculata University edged Penn State Brandywine 3-1 (25-14, 22-25, 25-15, 25-16) during the volleyball season opener for both teams Thursday night.

Highlighting the night for the Lions was a career high-tying 32 digs from Suzie Alvarenga (Fullerton, Calif./Notre Dame Academy) and 10 kills by Amanda Floyd (Glenolden, Pa./Interboro).

Anna Ramirez (Exton, Pa./Downingtown East) added six kills and five digs, while Laura Jezyk (Wilmington, Del./St. Elizabeth) tallied 19 assists, 13 digs and three aces.

The Might Macs ran out to a 16-8 lead during the opening set, but five-straight Brandywine points, aided by kills from Floyd and Ramirez and a Floyd service ace brought the Lions with three. Immaculata answered with consecutive kills and then reeled off six-straight points to claim the opening set.

Brandywine built an early 6-3 lead during set No. 2 as Floyd collected a pair of kills and Jezyk and Sydney Stevens (Wilmington, Del./Alexis I. DuPont) both set down an ace. Immaculata later pulled within one, but errors by Immaculata and another Jezyk ace pushed the Lions' advantage back to seven at 23-16. Floyd's kill and Stevens' ace ended the set and evened the match at 1-1.

Tied 3-3 in the third frame, the Might Macs produced seven consecutive points to build a 10-3 edge. Consecutive kills from Floyd that brought the Lions within 13-10; however, Immaculata pulled away late in the frame to move in front 2-1.

The fourth set saw four-straight Brandywine points cut an eight-point deficit in half, but Immaculata later collected five consecutive points to claim the set and match.

Brandywine opens the home portion of its schedule Wednesday against St. Mary's (MD) at 7:00 PM.