Lions Take Two At Bryn Mawr Tri-Match

BRYN MAWR, Pa. -- Penn State Brandywine claimed a pair of victories over NCAA Division III teams Saturday during a volleyball tri-match at Bryn Mawr, defeating the host Owls 3-1 after outlasting New Jersey City University 3-2 earlier in the day.

Against NJCU, Nikki Poissant (Aston, Pa./Cardinal O'Hara) delivered 21 digs, 15 kills and seven aces, while Nicolette Napoleon (Springfield, Pa./Penn Charter) recorded eight kills and five digs. Sullivan Stark (Middletown, Del./William Penn) dished out 30 assists and Rikelle Taylor (Nottingham, Pa./Solanco) added seven kills and three blocks.

Brandywine looked like it would claim the opening set as it led 24-20, but the Gothic Knights rallied with five-straight points and eventually claimed the frame 27-25.

The Lions bounced back to win set No. 2 by a 25-18 count. After New Jersey City pulled back in front with a 25-22 victory in set No. 3, Brandywine forced a decided fifth set by winning the fourth frame 25-19.

The Gothic Knights scored two of the first three points, but Brandywine reeled off eight consecutive to build a commanding 9-2 lead and finished off NJCU with a Napoleon kill.

Brandywine eased to a 25-15 first set triumph to open the match against Bryn Mawr and then took a 2-0 lead following a 25-21 second set win.

The Owls claimed the third frame, but the Lions answered with a 25-22 win in set No. 4 to win the match. Brandywine led 19-7 and had to hold off a late Bryn Mawr rally with a pair of Poissant aces and two Owl errors.

Stark finished the day with 56 assists after handing out 26 against Bryn Mawr, while also recording eight aces. Poissant collected 16 kills and four aces and Napoleon added six kills.

Defensively, Emily Battista (Broomall, Pa./Marple Newtown) led the way with 21 digs, while Becca Civera (Boothwyn, Pa./Chichester) registered nine and Poissant totaled eight.  

Brandywine opens a four-match homestand Thursday against Bryn Athyn (7:00 pm).