IMMACULATA, Pa.- On Saturday, the Immaculata women's volleyball (2-1, 0-0 AEC) completed their second and third match of the early season. As part of their first home tri-match of the year, the Mighty Macs faced the University of Valley Forge for an 11am contest and squared off agaisnt Penn State Abington in their 2:30pm game. Immaculata took the first matchup comfortably, defeating the Patriots in three quick sets before falling in three sets to the Lions. Women's volleyball now holds a 2-1 record across three non-conference matches to begin their 2024 fall season.

Game One 
Immaculata vs Valley Forge (W, 3-0)

How it Happened

• In the first set, Immaculata raced to an early 6-0 lead behind Christina Lenzo's opening service run. Valley Forge nearly matched the Macs' opening advantage, securing the next 5 points to tighten the early score.
• Immaculata responded with the next four points, reclaiming a 10-5 edge before a pair of scores by Valley Forge. The Mighty Macs then collected another five point run, forcing the Patriots into three attack errors.
• Later in the set, Jenna Bozzo earned a pair of service aces that fed a 19-8 Macs' lead.
• Immaculata went on to claim the first set, 25-11, with kills from Emma Hodgson, Gabby Kaminski, and Jenna Bozzo all part of a 6-0 closing run. 
• Valley Forge went up 3-1 to begin the second set before Immaculata scored the next five.
• The teams would alternate points for much of the next 20 volleys. Over that span, Mia Esposito and Emma Hodgson recorded two kills apiece. 
• Immaculata separated themselves down the stretch, 25-15, ending the match with seven of the last eight scores that included two Emma Hodgson blocks.
• The Mighty Macs won the third set in convincing fashion, outscoring the Patriots 25-4.
• The final set featured a five point service run from Lauren Gartman, an eleven point service run from Jenna Bozzo, and three kills from Mel Mann.

Game Two 
Immaculata vs Penn State Abington (L, 0-3)

How it Happened

• Penn State Abington led 3-1 early in the first set before Immaculata evened the score. 
• The Mighty Macs took a 7-5 advantage after forcing the Lions into consecutive attack errors. 
• Penn State Abington swung the match in their favor with a 7-0 run.
• A PSU service error and a kill from Mel Mann ended the Lions point streak as they'd maintain a 12-9 edge. 
• Service aces allowed the Lions to claim 13 of the next 17 points, taking the opening set 25-13. 
• Immaculata opened the second set with a kill from Mia Esposito and a 4-1 lead four volleys later.
• The Lions had their way during the ensuing eight point swing that fed a 9-4 PSU lead.
• Immaculata and Abington went back and forth for the remainder of the set before Penn State earned 25-19.  
• Penn State Abinton took an early lead in the third set, collecting the first four points.
• The teams played even for the next ten volleys, as the scoreboard read 9-4.
• Immaculata used two kills from Eliana Szatkowski to gain ground, as they'd trim the PSU lead to 10-7. 
• Penn State Abington turned the tides back in their favor, leading by as much as 19-10.
• A pair of kills by Mia Esposito and a service ace afforded the Macs the next three points. 
• Kills from Mel Mann and Eliana Szatkowski tightened the score to 21-15 before the Lions closed the door, 25-16 in the final set.
• Mia Esposito led Immaculata with 8 kills across 22 total attempts, as Dinah Stabinski collected 10 digs and 4 receptions, and Christina Lenzo assisted 14 of the Macs' 22 kills. 

Up Next

• Immaculata turns to a September 5th matchup with Albright College as the team searches for their third home win of the season.
• Following Thursday night's single, Women's volleyball will have a week off before traveling to New Jersey to face Rutgers-Camden on September 12th.