HAVERFORD, Pa. - The Haverford College volleyball team (12-5, 3-1 CC) swept Ursinus College (5-12, 0-4 CC) in straight sets at Gooding '84 Arena Wednesday evening, winning 25-15, 25-14, 25-21. Haverford's attack was led by a .320 hitting percentage, with 41 kills over the three sets as the Fords defended home court for their third Centennial Conference victory.
The Fords posted their second consecutive sweep, jetting out to an early 11-6 lead in the first set. Senior Eliana Brown oversaw a service run that included a kill from classmate Izabela Potocnjak and several Ursinus errors as the Fords frustrated the visitors in the early going. Ursinus clawed back to within two at 14-12, but a 6-1 run prompted a Bears timeout as senior Cameryn DeBlecourt contributed an ace in a stretch that also included kills from sophomore Fiona Moord and Brown. The Bears sought answers, but Haverford kept the momentum after the timeout, closing on a 5-1 spurt as sophomore Maggie Turner and Potocnjak each found the floor to cap the opening frame.
Haverford started the second set with another strong showing, quickly gaining momentum through key plays from Potocnjak, who registered multiple kills early on. The home team capitalized on a Potocnjak service ace and a kill by Turner, pushing the lead to 5-1. Haverford maintained control, extending the lead to 9-3. The advantage eventually grew to 19-9 as the Fords used consecutive aces from Brown and an emphatic block from Turner and Potocnjak to take command. Ursinus got to within 23-14, but a service error gave the Fords set point before Potocnjak finished things with a kill at 25-14.
In the third, Ursinus presented a tougher challenge against the hosts. The two sides traded short runs early, with the contest tied at 16-16 after a kill from Riley Lincoln. DeBlecourt used a crafty attack to put the Fords back in the lead, and a 4-1 run from Haverford was punctuated by a kill from first-year Elizabeth Cella to make it 21-17. Turner pushed the Fords ahead 22-18, and despite Ursinus pulling back within two at 23-21, a kill from Brown gave Haverford match point before an attack error by the Bears sealed the sweep.
Potocnjak recorded nine kills with a .500 hitting percentage and added six digs. Brown matched Potocnjak and Cella with nine kills while also securing nine digs and three service aces. Turner posted a career-best .778 hitting percentage with seven kills on nine attempts. DeBlecourt contributed 18 assists and finished with a .500 hitting percentage, tallying two kills on four attempts.
Reena Robinson led the Bears with 11 kills on 24 attempts. Alonna McCummings added four kills and three blocks with a .375 hitting percentage, while Lauren McGinn contributed six kills, a .217 hitting percentage, and two blocks.
The next challenge for Haverford arrives Saturday as the team travels to face Gettysburg on Oct. 18 in a rematch of last season's Centennial Conference first-round playoff contest. First serve is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Bream Gym.
