Haverford College

SWARTHMORE, Pa. – Despite another outstanding offensive performance from Elizabeth Cella, the Haverford College volleyball team (16-5, 7-3 CC) came up just short in a five-set battle against Hood Trophy rival Swarthmore (19-3, 9-0 CC) Wednesday evening at Tarble Pavilion. The Fords claimed the opening set and rallied to force a decisive fifth frame, but the Garnet prevailed 18-25, 25-23, 25-22, 23-25, 15-7 in the Centennial Conference regular-season finale for the Fords. 

Cella continued her impressive offensive campaign with 26 kills against Swarthmore, her second-highest total of the season behind her program-record 30-kill performance at Ursinus. She committed just three attack errors on 58 attempts for a .397 hitting percentage, while adding 18 digs for a double-double. The performance marked another standout outing for Cella, who accounted for 40% of Haverford's 65 kills in the five-set contest. 

The result gave Swarthmore a narrow 3.5-2.5 advantage in the Hood Trophy standings through the fall sports season.

Despite the setback, Haverford has now secured a top-four seed in the upcoming Centennial Conference Tournament and will host a first-round match Wednesday, Nov. 11, at Gooding Arena.

Haverford opened the evening with an impressive first-set performance, using a balanced attack and a strong presence at the net to establish an early advantage. Cella recorded six kills in the frame, while Fiona Moord added four on six attempts without an error. The Fords broke open a close set with a late 5-0 run behind the serving of Kira Chaney, closing out a 25-18 victory on consecutive blocks involving Moord.

The second set featured 14 ties and nine lead changes as neither side could establish much separation. Haverford remained within a point at 21-20 before Swarthmore pulled ahead 24-22. A Garnet attack error kept the Fords alive, but Ella Tsai delivered the final kill to even the match with a 25-23 decision.

Swarthmore carried that momentum into the third, building a 22-17 advantage before Haverford mounted a late response. Moord helped spark the comeback with three kills down the stretch, while Cella added consecutive finishes to bring the Fords within 24-22. Tsai again provided the decisive point, securing a 25-22 victory and giving the Garnet a two-sets-to-one lead.

Facing elimination, Haverford responded emphatically in the fourth. The teams traded points throughout another tightly contested frame, with the Fords holding a 22-20 edge before Swarthmore rallied to tie the score at 23. Cella delivered a crucial kill to give Haverford set point, and Olivia DeVille followed with a service ace to close out the 25-23 victory and force a fifth set.

The Garnet took control early in the deciding frame, opening a 10-4 advantage that proved difficult for the Fords to overcome. Moord delivered consecutive kills to cut into the deficit, but Swarthmore answered with a late surge, including back-to-back service aces from Isabel Adam, before Adam finished the match with a kill for the 15-7 decision.

Moord provided another strong performance at the net for Haverford, finishing with 15 kills on .333 hitting and seven total blocks, including one solo rejection. Gia Frank added 11 kills and three block assists, while Anna Krotky Koeppe directed the offense with 49 assists, five kills and nine digs.

Chaney anchored the back row with a match-high 23 digs and two service aces. Heejin Kim contributed 11 digs, while Sierra Lever added nine.

Swarthmore countered with a balanced effort across its lineup, led by 23 kills apiece from Adam and Tsai. Adam also recorded four service aces and 12 digs, while Nicole Kim added five aces. Maya Sheridan distributed 28 assists, Lois Matsukawa chipped in 18 and libero Melissa Eyer finished with 20 digs.

Haverford held advantages in kills (65-62), hitting percentage (.263-.209) and total blocks (11-5), but Swarthmore's 14 service aces proved significant in the narrow home victory.

The Fords now turn their attention to a nonconference tri-match against No. 21 Batten and William Smith on Saturday, Nov. 7, at Gooding Arena. Haverford will then return to Centennial Conference Tournament action Wednesday, Nov. 11, also at Gooding Arena, with its final seeding and first-round opponent to be determined following the conclusion of the conference's regular-season schedule.