HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. – The Centenary University women's volleyball team made history Wednesday evening, defeating defending Atlantic East Conference champion Marymount University for the first time in program history with a 3-1 victory inside the John M. Reeves Student Recreation Center. The Saints, who entered the season ranked first in the Atlantic East Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll, were handed a historic defeat as the Cyclones also captured their first-ever set victory against Marymount. Centenary secured the win by scores of 25-23, 15-25, 25-18 and 25-14 in its conference opener.
Centenary came out strong in the opening set, matching Marymount point-for-point in a tightly contested battle. The Cyclones recorded 13 kills and hit .229 in the frame, edging the Saints 25-23 to claim their first set victory over Marymount in program history. The defending champions responded in the second set, capitalizing on Centenary's offensive struggles to secure a 25-15 victory and even the match at one set apiece.
With the match tied, the Cyclones regained control in the third set. Centenary recorded 11 kills while holding Marymount to just four, pulling away for a 25-18 victory to take a 2-1 advantage. The Cyclones carried that momentum into the fourth set, delivering a strong all-around performance to close out the historic victory. Centenary held Marymount to five kills and a negative hitting percentage while recording nine kills of its own. The Cyclones secured the final set 25-14 to complete the four-set victory.
Poppy Skjonnemand led the offensive effort with a match-high 18 kills and 12 digs, while Gabriella Miller added 11 kills, nine digs and two service aces. Helen Bilomasur contributed eight kills, 13 digs and a match-high four service aces. Adrienne Xiao directed the offense with 33 assists and three service aces, while Jennifer Thistlethwaite added five kills. Defensively, Rey Bennett anchored the Cyclones with a match-high 22 digs. Centenary finished with 65 digs compared to Marymount's 55.
The Cyclones dominated several statistical categories, recording 43 kills to Marymount's 23 and holding an 11-5 advantage in service aces.
With the historic victory, Centenary improves to 6-9 overall and 1-0 in Atlantic East Conference play, opening its conference schedule with a statement win over the defending champions and preseason favorites.
