HAVERFORD, Pa. - The Haverford College volleyball team (3-1) had a strong showing to wrap up the 2025 Haverford Invitational, finishing the weekend with a pair of triumphs over Union (N.Y.) and Stevens.

Following the conclusion of play on Saturday, Elizabeth Cella and Fiona Moord were each named to the Haverford Invitational All-Tournament Team, with Moord earning tournament MVP honors.
 
Haverford 3, Union 1
 
The Fords defeated the Garnet Chargers of Union (N.Y.) (0-2) in a four-set match, 26-28, 25-20, 25-18, 25-19, to begin things at Gooding Arena on Saturday.
 
In the first set, Haverford and Union engaged in a closely contested match, with both teams trading points frequently. Haverford initially took a 7-2 lead, highlighted by two consecutive service aces from Dasha Igonin. The Garnet Chargers responded with a run of their own, tying the score at 9-9 and eventually taking a 14-11 lead with strong play from Shannon McGrath and Shelby McKim.
 
The Fords managed to regain momentum, tying the set at 17-17 with Izabela Potocnjak delivering two service aces in the stretch. However, Union pulled ahead in the final moments, clinching the set 28-26 after a series of attack errors from Haverford, despite Eliana Brown's efforts to keep the Fords in contention with several key kills down the stretch.
 
The second set between Haverford and Union began with Union scoring the first point due to an attack error by Haverford's Fiona Moord, but the Fords quickly responded with a kill by Eliana Brown off a set from Kayla Chu. Potocnjak and Maggie Turner combined for a block, lighting up the crowd in a key moment as Haverford took the lead at 5-4.
 
Service aces by Brown and Chu helped the Fords maintain momentum, with Chu's ace giving them a 10-7 advantage. Union called a timeout after Haverford extended their lead to 14-11 following a service ace by Sierra Lever.
 
Despite McGrath's efforts for the Garnet Chargers, including several kills, the Fords secured the set win at 25-20, concluded with a kill by Moord off an assist from Chu.
 
The third set began with Haverford's Kira Chaney serving and leading a strong opening run, securing four service aces and capitalizing on two Union errors to establish a 6-0 lead. The Garnet Chargers responded with a series of points including a kill by McKim and a service ace by McKim, bringing the score to 6-4.
 
Haverford maintained control with key contributions from Potocnjak and Elizabeth Cella, extending their lead to 15-7 before Union called a timeout. Union managed a small comeback with a series of points from McKim and Maddie McCarron, prompting a Fords timeout at 18-15. Haverford then closed out the set with a strong performance from Turner and Cella, securing the set 25-18.
 
In the fourth set, the Fords secured a 25-19 victory over the Garnet Chargers, with Haverford consistently pulling ahead following several key plays. McGrath of Union opened the scoring, but the Fords quickly responded with kills from Brown and Moord, leveling the score at 1-1 and 2-2, respectively.
 
Haverford built momentum with a series of quick points, including a kill by Turner and a service ace by Brown, extending their lead to 16-10. Union attempted a comeback, closing the gap to 19-16 with contributions from McKim and Graciela Escobar, but the Fords maintained control with decisive plays by Cella and Igonin, culminating in Igonin's final kill to clinch the set.
 
Brown was a key player with 16 kills and 15 digs, while Potocnjak led Haverford with four service aces.  Defensively, Lever stood out with 26 digs, helping to anchor the team's back row. On the attack, Cella recorded a .400 hitting percentage with 13 kills. Turner provided a strong presence at the net with five total blocks.
 
McGrath led Union, earning a spot on the All-Tournament team after recording 18 kills on 47 attempts for a .340 hitting percentage, while contributing seven digs and three assists. Allie Kronenberg was influential with 41 assists, adding two kills on a .400 hitting percentage and two total blocks. Georgia Pool excelled in defense, tallying 24 digs across four sets. McCarron was a key figure at the net with seven total blocks, including three solo blocks and eight kills on 18 attempts.
 
Haverford 3, (RV) Stevens 1
 
In the final match of the day, Haverford roared back from a first-set loss to deliver a 22-25, 25-11, 25-18, 25-21 victory.
 
The first set began with Stevens taking an early advantage, opening up a 3-0 lead. Haverford responded with several key plays to keep some of the early momentum. Despite trailing 14-10, Haverford rallied after a timeout, with Izabela Potocnjak landing a critical kill and Brown following with a service ace. Kayla Chu's effective setting facilitated a 4-0 run bringing the score to 20-19, forcing Stevens to call a timeout. Ultimately, Stevens secured the set 25-22, but not before Haverford showcased resilience by narrowing the gap multiple times throughout the tense set.
 
The second frame began with an immediate impact from Brown, who secured the first point for the home team with a kill assisted by Chu. Haverford then established a strong play rhythm, with Elizabeth Cella dominating the court by tallying multiple kills, bolstered by assists from Cameryn DeBlecourt and Lever. During a crucial stretch, Haverford capitalized on several Stevens errors, including a service ace by Chu, increasing their lead to 12-4. Despite a brief push from Stevens, Haverford maintained control with Cella's consistent performance, ultimately closing the set with a decisive 25-11 victory, highlighted by an array of collaborative plays and critical errors from Stevens.
 
The third set began with Haverford establishing an early lead, highlighted by Brown's initial kill, assisted by Chu, setting the tone for a competitive set. Haverford capitalized on Stevens' errors and strong blocking from Fiona Moord and Charlotte Dziki to maintain their advantage.
 
Despite Stevens' efforts to close the gap, Haverford's consistent performance, including a key service ace by Igonin and multiple kills from Cella, helped secure the set with a 25-18 victory, concluding with a decisive kill by Potocnjak.
 
In the fourth set, Haverford capitalized on a strong start by scoring the first four points, including a service ace from Igonin and a block by Moord and Potocnjak. Stevens managed to tie the score, but Haverford responded with a decisive block by Cella and Moord, sparking a 3-0 run. After a well-timed timeout, Haverford sealed the set with a service ace from Potocnjak and a final block by Dziki and Maggie Turner, clinching the set 25-21.
 
Brown led Haverford with 18 points, contributing 16 kills with a .455 hitting percentage. Lever made a significant impact defensively, recording 20 digs across four sets. Cella also delivered a strong performance, notching a double-double early in her rookie campaign, including 15 kills and 11 digs. Moord was again a standout at the net, accumulating nine block assists, which helped solidify the team's defense.
 
Lianna Schmieder led Stevens with 17 digs, contributing significantly to the team's defensive efforts. Alexa Brucculeri delivered 22 assists while also adding eight digs. Ella Kraver stood out in attack with nine kills on a .241 hitting percentage and served effectively with three aces.
 
Looking ahead, the Haverford team will face Springfield (Mass.) on Friday, Sept. 5, at 5 p.m. as the Ford Invite marks a second consecutive tournament weekend for the Scarlet and Black at home.
 

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Tournament MVP
Fiona Moord, Haverford

All Tournament Team
Fiona Moord, Haverford
Nicole Palmer, Stockton
Elizabeth Cella, Haverford
Shannon McGrath, Union
Sarah Bolduc, Stevens
Alexa Brucculeri, Stevens