Brandywine Gains First Victory In Sweep

BRYN ATHYN, Pa. – Penn State Brandywine earned its first victory of the 2024 season, winning a non-conference volleyball match at Bryn Athyn by a 3-0 score (25-17, 25-20, 25-11) on Thursday night.

The Lions received a balanced effort both offensively and defensively. On offense, Lexie Berry (Brookhaven, Pa./Daegu) and Morgan Rizer (Denton, Md./North Caroline) both tallied five kills. Anna Ramirez (Exton, Pa./Downingtown East) and Hailey Piccirillo (Broadlands, Va./Virginia Academy) each added four kills, while Emma O'Reilly (Horsham, Pa./Hatboro-Horsham) collected three.

Emmalin Molinaro (North Caldwell, N.J./West Essex) posted a team-high three aces and paced the Lions on defense with 12 digs. Laura Jezyk (Wilmington, Del./St. Elizabeth) added 10 digs and a team-best 11 assists, while Piccirillo registered nine digs and Ramirez totaled eight. Rizer posted two of Brandywine's four solo blocks.

Bryn Athyn scored the first point of the night, but Brandywine responded with the next four and led for the duration of the opening set, taking the first frame 25-17.

The hosts led early during set No. 2 before back-to-back aces from Piccirillo and a Berry kill put Brandywine on top 9-7. The Lions later pushed the margin to 13-9 via an ace by Molinaro. Bryn Athyn rallied to within one on four occasions; however, Brandywine had an answer each time and claimed the set thanks to consecutive Bryn Athyn errors.

Leading 6-4 in the final frame, Brandywine netted eight of the next nine points, capped by a Rizer kill, to build a 14-5 edge. The Lions extended their lead as large as 15 points before a kill from Berry finished off Brandywine's first victory of the Division III era.

Brandywine (1-1) will travel to New Jersey on Sunday for a tri-match against host Rutgers-Camden (11:00 AM) and Alvernia (1:00 PM).