HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. – The Centenary University women's volleyball team made program history Tuesday evening, earning its first postseason victory in program history with a commanding 3-0 sweep over No. 6 seed Saint Elizabeth University in the opening round of the Atlantic East Conference Tournament inside the John M. Reeves Student Recreation Center.
The third-seeded Cyclones dominated the opening two sets before holding off a late push from the Eagles to secure the historic victory by scores of 25-11, 25-9 and 25-22. Centenary wasted little time establishing momentum in the opening set, delivering an impressive offensive performance with 12 kills while hitting .400. The Cyclones limited Saint Elizabeth to just one kill and a negative hitting percentage, cruising to a 25-11 victory.
The Cyclones carried that momentum into the second set, producing their most efficient offensive performance of the evening. Centenary recorded nine kills without an attacking error, hitting an outstanding .450 while continuing to pressure the Eagles from the service line. The Cyclones controlled the set from start to finish, earning a decisive 25-9 victory to take a commanding 2-0 advantage.
Saint Elizabeth responded with a stronger effort in the third set, recording 12 kills and challenging Centenary throughout the frame. However, the Cyclones remained composed down the stretch, using timely offensive plays to secure a 25-22 victory and complete the straight-set sweep.
Poppy Skjonnemand led the Cyclones offensively with a match-high 10 kills, hitting an impressive .400 while adding two service aces, three digs and a solo block. Helen Bilomasur delivered another strong performance, finishing with nine kills on a .412 hitting percentage, along with two service aces and three digs. Jennifer Thistlethwaite contributed three kills without an attacking error, hitting .429 while adding three service aces.
Rey Bennett provided a spark from the service line, recording a match-high six aces, along with five digs and two assists. Gabriella Miller anchored the defensive effort with a team-high eight digs while contributing four kills and an ace. Adrienne Xiao directed the Cyclones' offense with 19 assists, adding two service aces and three digs. Ava Estrada contributed two kills and a solo block.
As a team, Centenary finished with 28 kills, 16 service aces and 23 digs, hitting .294 while holding Saint Elizabeth to a .016 hitting percentage. The Cyclones committed just eight attacking errors throughout the three-set contest.
The victory marks another milestone in a historic season for the Cyclones, who earned the No. 3 seed in the Atlantic East Conference Tournament and hosted a postseason match for the first time in program history. With the win, Centenary improves to 11-11 overall and advances to the Atlantic East Conference Semifinals.
The Cyclones will travel to No. 2 seed Immaculata University on Thursday, November 12, for a 6:00 p.m. semifinal matchup, with a trip to the Atlantic East Conference Championship on the line.
