Hackettstown, N.J.: The Centenary University volleyball team split its home tri-match on Saturday at the John M. Reeves Student Recreation Center, rallying past Hunter College in five sets before falling in straight sets to Alfred University.

In the opener, the Cyclones battled back for a thrilling 3-2 victory over Hunter (23–25, 25–21, 19–25, 25–15, 15–12). Junior outside hitter Poppy Skjonnemand powered the attack with a match-high 17 kills, 14 digs, and two blocks, while Jennifer Thistlethwaite added 16 kills, three aces, and 10 digs. Setter Vanessa Pagano distributed 31 assists and chipped in 12 digs. Defensively, Rey Bennett anchored the back row with 19 digs and five service aces, while the Cyclones combined for 73 digs as a team.

After dropping the first set 25–23, Centenary responded with strong serving and steady defense to take the second. Hunter regained control in the third, but the Cyclones dominated the fourth with a 25–15 win to force a decisive fifth set. Skjonnemand and Thistlethwaite came up clutch in the final frame, and Centenary closed it out 15–12 to secure the comeback win.

In the second match, Alfred proved too much, sweeping the Cyclones 3-0 (25-15, 25-21, 25-23). Skjonnemand again led the way with 13 kills and 7 digs, while Thistlethwaite added 8 kills and 6 digs. Pagano tallied 25 assists, and Bennett notched 16 digs with three service aces. Alfred hit an efficient .308 as a team, led by Taylor Malone's 14 kills, to hand Centenary the setback.

With the split, the Cyclones move to 8-7 on the season.