IMMACULATA, Pa. – For the first time in program history, the Centenary University women's volleyball team is headed to the Atlantic East Conference Championship!
The third-seeded Cyclones continued their historic postseason run Thursday evening, defeating No. 2 seed Immaculata University, 3-1, in the Atlantic East Conference Semifinals inside Alumnae Hall. After dropping a tightly contested opening set, Centenary rallied to win three consecutive sets and secure its first conference championship appearance in program history.
The Cyclones earned the victory by set scores of 24-26, 25-22, 25-23 and 25-19, improving to 12-11 overall and recording their second postseason victory in program history.
Just two days after earning the program's first-ever playoff victory against Saint Elizabeth University, Centenary delivered another milestone performance, overcoming an Immaculata team that had defeated the Cyclones earlier in the season.
Set One: Immaculata 26, Centenary 24
The opening set featured a competitive battle as both teams looked to establish momentum in the semifinal matchup. Centenary recorded nine kills while Immaculata finished with 12. The Cyclones continued to battle throughout the frame, keeping the score close and pushing the Mighty Macs beyond the traditional 25-point mark. Despite Centenary's efforts, Immaculata secured the opening set, 26-24, to take an early 1-0 advantage.
Set Two: Centenary 25, Immaculata 22
Facing a one-set deficit, the Cyclones responded with a strong offensive performance in the second frame. Centenary improved its attacking efficiency, recording 11 kills while committing just three attacking errors for a .235 hitting percentage. Immaculata continued to challenge the Cyclones, finishing with 14 kills in the set, but Centenary remained composed in the closing stages. The Cyclones secured a 25-22 victory to even the match at one set apiece.
Set Three: Centenary 25, Immaculata 23
With momentum shifting, Centenary delivered its strongest offensive set of the evening. The Cyclones recorded 15 kills, their highest total of the match, while hitting .225. Immaculata answered with 10 kills as both teams battled for control of the crucial third set. Centenary maintained its composure in another closely contested frame, securing a narrow 25-23 victory to take a 2-1 advantage and move one set away from making program history.
Set Four: Centenary 25, Immaculata 19
With a championship appearance within reach, the Cyclones delivered an impressive performance in the fourth set. Centenary recorded 10 kills while committing just three attacking errors, producing its highest hitting percentage of the evening at .304. The Cyclones continued to pressure Immaculata offensively and from the service line, creating opportunities to extend their advantage. Centenary closed out the set with a 25-19 victory, completing the 3-1 comeback and officially punching its ticket to the Atlantic East Conference Championship for the first time in program history.
Poppy Skjonnemand led the Cyclones with a match-high 17 kills, hitting .244 while adding four service aces and eight digs. Skjonnemand finished with a match-high 21 points, providing a strong offensive presence throughout the historic victory. Gabriella Miller delivered an impressive all-around performance, recording 11 kills, 13 digs and a service ace. Miller's contributions on both sides of the court helped the Cyclones maintain their momentum throughout the four-set contest.
Helen Bilomasur added seven kills while hitting .235, along with four service aces, three digs and a solo block. Jennifer Thistlethwaite contributed six kills on a .294 hitting percentage while recording three service aces. Ava Estrada provided a strong presence at the net, finishing with four kills on nine attempts without an attacking error for a .444 hitting percentage. Estrada also recorded two solo blocks.
Adrienne Xiao directed the Centenary offense with 35 assists, adding seven digs and two service aces. Defensively, Rey Bennett anchored the Cyclones with a team-high 16 digs, while contributing three service aces.
As a team, Centenary finished with 45 kills, 38 assists, 17 service aces and 53 digs, hitting .217 throughout the match. The Cyclones' 17 service aces proved to be a major difference, as Immaculata recorded seven. Centenary also committed fewer attacking errors, finishing with 17 compared to the Mighty Macs 21. Immaculata was led by Sophia Banach with 16 kills, while Mel Mann added 15 and Madi Kyle contributed 11.
The Cyclones will travel to face Marymount on Saturday for their first ever Atlantic East Championship appearance.
With a conference title and an automatic berth to the NCAA Division III Women's Volleyball Tournament on the line, the Cyclones will look to continue their historic postseason run.
