HAVERFORD, Pa. - The Haverford College volleyball team (5-9, 1-0 CC) swept its Centennial Conference opener from Dickinson (4-8, 0-2 CC) on Play With Pride Day at Gooding Arena. The Fords played some of their most electrifying volleyball of the 2023 campaign thus far, captivating the home crowd with the three-set victory. Set scores were 27-25, 25-23, 25-22.
First-year Kira Chaney had a strong conference debut with 15 kills on 42 total swings, also adding four service aces to that impressive total. Chaney narrowly missed a double-double also collecting eight digs. Sophomore setter Kayla Chu was everywhere for the Fords on Saturday, notching a career-high 33 assists. Haverford's serving was a major strength with 14 aces for the match, including the four from Chaney and multiple from Claire Jordan (3), Izabela Potocnjak (3) and Chu (2). Juliet Young (15 digs) and Téa Kuzbari (13 digs) were defensive standouts for the hosts.
Dickinson began the contest on a 9-3 run, and looked to be in strong position for an opening-set victory. The Fords seemed to be right on the brink of calling a timeout to regroup, but Coach Hargrave was rewarded for her patience as Haverford went on a big run to get right back into the contest without burning a crucial stoppage. Jordan seemed to be the benefactor of the crowd's building momentum, connecting on three consecutive service aces as Dickinson seemed rattled, calling for timeout as the score was suddenly knotted at 11-11.
The two sides traded points as some high level volleyball was on display from both sides. Back-to-back aces from Chaney knotted things at 19-19 and the teams then traded points from there yet again, with Chaney giving the Fords set point with a kill to sideout at 26-25, before ending things at 27-25.
The second set again saw Dickinson on a 5-1 jaunt to begin play before the Fords turned the tide for an 10-8 lead following a Young service ace. Haverford went ahead by four at 19-15 with an ace from Chaney, but Dickinson rallied to tie yet again. The score was knotted as late as 23-23 before a service error gave the Fords set point. Taylor Jones and Chaney connected on a huge block to send Haverford to a 2-0 set lead.
In the third stanza, each side seemed to have designs on victory, as things were knotted down the stretch at 18-18 and 20-20. Haverford seemed to find another gear from that point, looking to ensure that the match ended in straight sets. Jones and Chaney found the floor with consecutive kills to force a timeout from the Red Devils. Amelia Kim responded with a kill to get back her squad back within one, but Chaney then delivered a kill at 23-21 ahead of both Jones and Jordan tallying kills of their own down the stretch to confirm the sweep at 25-22.
Camille Dofiles was a standout for the visitors, with 23 assists and 14 digs, while Emma Opham and Alexa Barowski combined for 13 of Dickinson's 30 total kills.
The contest was the first during Haverford Athletics' Pride Week, which continues with events through October 7, as Haverford's Play with Pride Club hosted a rainbow cupcake giveaway.
Haverford now returns to action as the Centennial Conference slate continues on Saturday, October 7 at Gettysburg. The matchup with the Bullets at noon serves as a prelude to a non-conference neutral site contest with DeSales at 2 p.m.