HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. – The Centenary University women's volleyball team opened the 2026 season in impressive fashion Saturday morning, earning a 3-0 sweep over the University of Mount Saint Vincent inside the John M. Reeves Student Recreation Center.
The Cyclones (1-0) took control of the match with set victories of 25-21, 25-11, and 25-18 to begin their new campaign in the win column.
Centenary jumped out to an early advantage in the opening set behind strong serving from Adrienne Xiao. Xiao recorded three consecutive service aces to give the Cyclones a 4-1 lead. Mount Saint Vincent battled back as the set progressed, but Centenary was able to maintain its advantage and close out the opening frame, 25-21.
The Cyclones carried that momentum into the second set and turned in their strongest offensive performance of the match. Centenary recorded 10 kills while committing just three attacking errors on 25 attempts for a .280 hitting percentage. The Cyclones limited the Dolphins to just three kills in the frame on their way to a commanding 25-11 victory and a 2-0 lead in the match.
Centenary completed the sweep with a 25-18 victory in the third set. The Cyclones added nine kills in the final frame while holding Mount Saint Vincent to four kills and a negative hitting percentage.
Poppy Skjonnemand led the Centenary attack in the season-opening victory, finishing with a match-high nine kills while hitting .269. Gabriella Miller added six kills and eight digs, while Helen Bilomasur recorded five kills on 12 attempts for a .333 hitting percentage.
Xiao helped direct the Cyclones' offense with a team-high 12 assists while also making an impact from the service line with four aces. Rey Bennett added three aces and anchored the defensive effort with a match-high 15 digs.
The Cyclones' serving proved to be a difference maker throughout the match. Centenary finished with 11 service aces compared to just two for Mount Saint Vincent. The Cyclones also held advantages in kills, 27-16, and assists, 22-10.
Centenary finished the match with a .110 hitting percentage while holding the Dolphins to a -.058 mark.
With the straight-set victory, the Cyclones begin the 2026 season with a 1-0 record.
