BROOKLYN, N.Y. – The Centenary University women's volleyball team continued its impressive run through Atlantic East Conference play Wednesday evening, defeating Pratt Institute, 3-1, inside the Pratt Institute ARC. The Cyclones secured their fourth consecutive conference victory by scores of 25-13, 21-25, 25-13 and 25-23, improving to a perfect 4-0 in conference action.
Centenary came out strong in the opening set, establishing control early with an efficient offensive performance. The Cyclones recorded 13 kills while hitting .250, limiting Pratt to just two kills and a negative hitting percentage en route to a commanding 25-13 victory.
The second set featured a competitive battle as both teams looked to gain momentum. Despite recording another 13 kills and hitting .259, Centenary fell 25-21 as Pratt evened the match at one set apiece.
The Cyclones responded with their strongest offensive performance of the evening in the third set. Centenary recorded 11 kills with just one attacking error, hitting an impressive .526 while holding Pratt to a negative .278 hitting percentage. The Cyclones cruised to a 25-13 victory to regain control of the match.
With the opportunity to close out the contest, Centenary faced a determined Pratt squad in the fourth set. The Cyclones delivered a match-high 15 kills in the frame, battling through a tightly contested finish to secure a 25-23 victory and complete the four-set win.
Poppy Skjonnemand led the offensive attack with a match-high 15 kills, hitting .270 while adding seven digs and two block assists. Jennifer Thistlethwaite and Gabriella Miller each contributed 12 kills, with Thistlethwaite posting an impressive .476 hitting percentage and three block assists. Miller added seven digs and three service aces. Helen Bilomasur provided another strong offensive performance, recording nine kills, four digs and three block assists, while Ava Estrada contributed four total blocks. Adrienne Xiao directed the Cyclones' offense with a match-high 42 assists, adding four service aces and five digs. Rey Bennett anchored the defensive effort with a match-high 19 digs, five service aces and three assists.
As a team, Centenary finished with 52 kills, a .295 hitting percentage, 14 service aces and seven blocks, while holding Pratt to just 22 kills and a .000 hitting percentage.
With the victory, the Cyclones improve to 9-9 overall and 4-0 in Atlantic East Conference play, remaining undefeated against conference opponents. Centenary will return home on Saturday, October 31, to host Gwynedd Mercy University at 1:00 p.m, in its regular-season home finale.
