ABINGTON, Pa.- The Immaculata women's volleyball team opened their 2023 season sweeping a tri-match defeating Valley Forge 3-0 (25-19, 25-8, 25-11) and host Penn State-Abington 3-1 (26-24, 23-25, 25-18, 25-14).        

The Mighty Macs first match of the day was against the University at Valley Forge Patriots. After Valley Forge opened a quick 2-0 lead in the first set, Immaculata used a five-point run fueled by Emily Ettien serving four strait points to give the Macs a 5-2 lead. Valley Forge would take an 8-6 lead, before the Macs would use a five-point run to take an 11-8 lead with Emma Hodgson serving four straight points. The Macs would go on to take the first set 25-19.

In set two, Immaculata would take a quick 5-0 lead as Emily Ettien served five straight points. Immaculata would never look back in the set as Lily Burnette would serve 10 straight points, including five aces as the Mighty Macs would go on to take set two 25-8.

Immaculata would go on to close out the match, taking set three by a score of 25-11.

Immaculata was led offensively by Mia Esposito with 10 kills, Emma Hodgson with six kills and three service aces, and Ava Thorley with three kills. Emily Ettien registered 17 assists, and four service aces. Lily Burnette had a match high eight service aces. Christina Lenzo added three assists, and Jenna Bozzo added two. Defensively, Ava Thorley had six digs, Karissa Herman had 5 digs, and Lily Burnette added four digs.

Immaculata then faced the host Penn State-Abington for their second match of the day. Penn State-Abington jumped out to a quick 5-1 lead in the first set. Lily Burnette would serve four straight points as Immaculata climbed back into the set. Trailing 24-22, Immaculata would fight off a set point, before Emily Ettien would serve three consecutive points including the final two as service aces as the Mighty Macs took set one 26-24.

The second set was a back-and-forth battle as the team exchanged the lead throughout the set. Unfortunately, the Macs had 10 hitting errors in set two, as Penn State-Abington evened the match taking the second set 25-23.

In set three, Immaculata jumped out to a quick 6-1 lead. Penn State-Abington would use a five-point run to pull with in one at 10-9. Freshman Alayah Phifer would serve a pair of points, and the Macs would get kills from Mia Esposito, Ava Thorley, and Emma Hodgson on their way to taking set three 25-18.

In set four, Penn State-Abington took an early 3-0 lead. Following a break point, Emily Ettien would serve 10 straight points for the Mighty Macs including four service aces to take an 11-3 lead. The Macs would go on to close out the match taking the set 25-14.

The Mighty Macs were led offensively by Mia Esposito with 11 kills, Emma Hodgson with 10 kills, and Isabella Ridgell with eight kills. Christina Lenzo led the Macs with 21 assists and added three service aces. Emily Ettien added 19 assists, and seven service aces. Alayah Phifer registered seven kills, and Calissa Araujo added five kills.

On the defensive side, Ava Thorley led the Macs with 13 digs, Lily Burnette registered 12 digs, and Alayah Phifer had 10 digs. Emma Hodgson and Calissa Araujo each registered two blocks, and Isabella Ridgell added one block.

The Immaculata women's volleyball team (2-0) will be back in action on Thursday, September 7^th when they will play at Penn State-Brandywine at 7:00 PM.