Brandywine Sweeps Through Penn College For First United East Victory

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – Penn State Brandywine wrapped up its four-game road trip by sweeping Penn College 3-0 (27-25, 25-14, 25-17) to earn its first-ever United East Conference volleyball victory on Wednesday night.

During the opening set, Brandywine held a 22-20 edge following a kill from Morgan Rizer (Denton, Md./North Caroline), but the Wildcats netted three-straight points to vault in front. Hailey Piccirillo (Broadlands, Va./Virginia Academy) and Anna Ramirez (Exton, Pa./Downingtown East) answered with kills that put the Lions back on top prior to Penn College tying the count at 24-all with a kill. The teams swapped points once more before Piccirillo and Emma O'Reilly (Horsham, Pa./Hatboro-Horsham) notched back-to-back kills that gave the first set to Brandywine.

Kills by Ramirez, Piccirillo, O'Reilly and Catie Galonis (Pittston, Pa./Pittston) helped the Lions grab an early 9-3 edge during the second set. The Wildcats closed within four at 17-13, but O'Reilly's kill jumpstarted a run of 8-1 to close out the frame and give Brandywine a 2-0 edge.

Brandywine registered the first seven points of the final set and expanded the margin to 12-3 following consecutive aces from Emmalin Molinaro (North Caldwell, N.J./West Essex). Penn College again trimmed the margin as low as four, cutting the Brandywine lead to 18-14; however, the Lions countered with four-straight points and cruised to the finish.

Molinaro topped the defense with a match-high 19 digs and tied O'Reilly for the team lead with three aces. Ramirez added 15 digs, while Rizer posted a team-best three blocks.

O'Reilly collected a team-high nine kills and Piccirillo notched five. Ramirez and Galonis both tallied four kills, while Laura Jezyk (Wilmington, Del./St. Elizabeth) handed out 19 assists.

Brandywine (4-13, 1-3 United East) hosts Valley Forge for Senior Day Saturday at noon.