OLD WESTBURY, N.Y. (Sept. 1, 2017)- Sophomore Nicci Veras (Newark, N.J. / Shabazz) totaled 14 digs and eight kills as the Centenary University volleyball team split a tri-match hosted by the College at Old Westbury on Friday afternoon. The Cyclones swept the opening match against York College 3-0 (25-15, 25-20, 25-12) and dropped the final match against Old Westbury (25-15, 25-12, 25-22).

Centenary 3, York 0
Veras totaled seven digs and six kills, while junior Melissa Krueger (Long Valley, N.J. / West Morris Central) notched 13 assists as the Cyclones snapped a 17 game losing streak and tallied the earliest win of the season under Walter.  Centenary opened strong with a 10-2 run in the opening set, including junior Valentina Suizzo (North Haledon, N.J. / Eastern Christian) serving for five straight points.  Senior Amanda Fullem  (Linden, N.J. / Mother Seton), who tallied five aces in the match, helped Centenary rally from a six point deficit with five straight points that evened the contest at 15-15 in set two. Veras used the momentum created by Fullem to give the Cyclones the lead for good at 20-16.

Suizzo, sophomore Storm Spooner (South Brunswick, N.J. / South Brunswick) and freshman Leandra Garcia (Plainfield, N.J. / Central Jersey College Prep) each tallied three kills in the match.

Old Westbury 3, Centenary 0
The Panthers finally got the best of the Cyclones, as Centenary notched wins over Old Westbury in Walter's first two seasons. Westbury notched 30 kills in the sweep and posted a .208 hitting percentage, including a .421 percentage in the second set alone. Centenary led very early in both the first and second sets, before the Panthers rallied to run away with each set. In the final set of the afternoon,  the Cyclones nearly stole one from Old Westbury as back-to-back kills from Suizzo and a block from both Garcia and Fullem pulled the Cyclones to within two late. Despite the run, the Panthers held on for the victory.

Head Coach Kelsey Walter and the Cyclones will return to action tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 2^nd, in a tri-match against the University of Valley Forge and PSU-Abington beginning at 10:00 a.m.