HAVERFORD, Pa. - The Haverford College volleyball team (11-12, 6-3 CC) secured a spot in the upcoming Centennial Conference volleyball tournament with a convincing 3-0 sweep over Muhlenberg (13-10, 3-6 CC) on Wednesday evening at the Gooding '84 Arena. The set scores for the match were an indentical trio: 25-21, 25-21, 25-21.
The 2023 campaign marks Haverford's 19th appearance in the conference playoffs in the last 23 seasons. It's also volleyball's first journey to postseason action since reaching the NCAA Second Round in 2021.
The Fords displayed a strong performance with three players achieving double-digit kill totals. Eliana Brown contributed 11 kills, while Taylor Jones and Kira Chaney notched 10 each. Kayla Chu played a crucial role, registering a double-double with 35 assists and 11 digs. Juliet Young's strong effort at libero resulted in a match-best 22 digs. The blocking unit excelled in critical moments, with Gia Frank and Izabela Potocnjak each contributing four blocks.
For the second consecutive match, the Fords' defense limited their opponent to a hitting percentage below .100, as Muhlenberg managed to convert at only a .071 clip.
In the first set, Haverford jumped to an 11-6 lead, thanks to a strong service run by Jones. Jones added a pair of service aces during that stretch, and Potocnjak made a key kill, forcing a Muhlenberg timeout down by five. The Mules managed to stay close, closing the gap to four at 20-16. However, Potocnjak and Brown created problems for the visitors, leading to a timeout with the Fords ahead 23-17. Chaney and Jones secured kills down the stretch, resulting in a 25-21 victory.
The second set was a tight battle from the start, with both teams locked in a close contest. Haverford took a 14-12 lead, benefiting from consecutive blocks by Jones, teaming up with both Chaney and Brown, boosting the team's momentum. Muhlenberg briefly took a 20-18 lead after a service ace from Jenny Ryan, but a block from Frank and Potocnjak brought the Fords within one, and an attack error tied the score at 20-20.
Rachel Jacobs gave Muhlenberg a one-point edge at 21-20, but the Fords went on to score the final five points, with Jones delivering back-to-back kills, wrapped around a pair from Chaney, resulting in a 25-21 scoreline.
In the third set, Muhlenberg came out strong, taking a commanding 12-4 lead. Haverford had to make adjustments and briefly clawed their way back within three at 13-10. However, Muhlenberg managed to pull away, scoring four of the next five points and prompting a Haverford timeout. Sydney Rucker was called into the match and provided a spark as Young quickly recorded back-to-back aces, and Chaney added a crucial kill. Haverford fought back to within one following consecutive errors by Muhlenberg at 18-17, demonstrating their determination to stay in the game.
The Mules held a 21-19 lead after a Ryan kill, but Jones and Brown helped the Fords tie the score at 21-21. Two significant blocks from Potocnjak and Frank then put the Fords ahead 23-21 before errors by Muhlenberg gave Haverford match point. Potocnjak was there to secure the final point, resulting in a 25-21 victory and sending Haverford back to the Centennial Conference tournament.
Christina Marcin contributed eight kills for the Mules, while Jenny Ryan played a pivotal role for the visitors, tallying 22 assists and 11 digs. Alyssa Faville added 17 digs.
This contest was part of Haverford's annual BLUE Night for Type I Diabetes Awareness, coinciding with the United States recognizing November as National Diabetes Awareness Month.
The Fords will return to action on Saturday, November 4, for their regular season finale against Hood Trophy rival Swarthmore. A victory over the Garnet would secure home-court advantage in the Centennial Conference First Round contest.
The matchup is set to begin at 1 p.m. inside Gooding Arena, as the Fords aim to even the all-sports rivalry series with the Garnet at 3-3 for the fall season.