READING, Pa.- The Immaculata women's volleyball team battled through two tough non-conference matchups in their tri-match on Saturday, falling in a hard-fought five-set thriller to Rutgers-Camden, and dropping a four-set contest to Alvernia. The Mighty Macs showed stretches of strong play and resilience, highlighted by strong performances from multiple players.
 
With the losses, Immaculata falls to 3-11 overall, while Rutgers-Camden improved to 6-9, 0-3 NJAC. Alvernia with their split in the tri-match is 6-7, 0-2 MAC Commonwealth.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED AGAINST RUTGERS-CAMDEN

• In the first set Immaculata built an early 10-7 lead behind a service run from Emma Thornton, including an ace and a kill by Calissa Araujo. Rutgers-Camden responded with two four-point runs to go ahead 18-15. A late ace by Damani Myers gave Immaculata a 21-20 edge, but Rutgers-Camden closed strong, winning four of the final five points.
• The teams traded points early in the second set, with Angelica Santini Bulerin tying it 8-8 on a kill. Rutgers-Camden pulled ahead 13-9. Immaculata narrowed the gap (13-11) with a Myers kill and Santini Bulerin ace, then tied it 16-16 on kills from Emma Hodgson and Ava Goodfield. Rutgers-Camden regained control and pulled away late.
• Immaculata took a 10-8 lead in the third set during a four-point run with Santini Bulerin at the service line. Strong serving and offense from Adriana Ventura, Cianni Baez, and Antonia Antolini, plus kills by Hodgson and Myers, helped Immaculata stay ahead and close out the set.
• Rutgers-Camden opened the fourth set with a 6-1 run, but Immaculata countered with a 6-point surge. Adriana Ventura served five straight points, including an ace and kills from Esposito and Hodgson. Later, Lauren Gartmen served three straight points, as Esposito and Myers led the offense. Late kills from Esposito, Hodgson, Myers, and Santini Bulerin secured the set and forced a deciding fifth.
• Rutgers-Camden came out dominant in the fifth set with an 8-0 run. Mia Esposito ended the run with a kill, but the Scarlet Raptors kept up the pressure to win the final set convincingly and clinch the match.

 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS VS RUTGERS-CAMDEN

• Angelica Santini Bulerin had a new career high of 36 assists, with five kills, three service aces, and 11 digs.
• Mia Esposito had 11 kills.
• Emma Hodgson had 10 kills, one service ace, and two total blocks,
• Damani Myers had 10 kills, three total blocks, and 16 digs.
• Adriana Ventura had 20 digs, six assists, and two service aces.
• Antonia Antolini had five total blocks.

 
HOW IT HAPPENED AGAINST ALVERNIA

• A tightly contested set opened with early kills from Antonia Antolini and two from Emma Hodgson as the score stayed even at 8-8. Cianni Baez sparked a short run at the service line, and Damani Myers gave the Macs a 14-13 edge. Immaculata led 18-15 before a four-point run by Alvernia flipped the lead. Facing set point, Hodgson cut the deficit to 24-23 with a kill, but Alvernia closed it out winning set one 25-23.
• Immaculata roared out to a 6-0 lead, with Lauren Gartman serving five straight points and Kamila Vega Perez landing back-to-back kills. Alvernia trimmed the margin to 18-15, but Hodgson responded with a kill and an ace to extend the lead. A five-point closing run was fueled by Angelica Santini Bulerin with a kill and a service ace, Antolini, and two kills from Calissa Araujo to even the match.
• In the third set, Alvernia took control early, building a 20-10 lead. Angelica Santini Bulerin broke the momentum with a kill, and Adriana Ventura served three straight points to cut the deficit to 20-15. Immaculata closed within one (21-20) after a block from Alayah Phifer, but the Golden Wolves held on to win set three 25-22.
• In the fourth set, Alvernia jumped out to a 4-0 lead. Calissa Araujo put Immaculata on the board with a kill, and Emma Thornton served an ace to close the gap to 9-7. Alvernia responded with a surge out of a timeout, extending the lead to 22-12. Late kills from Mia Esposito and Alayah Phifer were not enough, as Alvernia sealed the set and match.

 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS VS ALVERNIA

• Emma Hodgson, Alayah Phifer, and Antonia Antolini shared the lead in kills with six.
• Angelica Santini Bulerin had 25 assists, two service aces, and 15 digs.
• Lauren Gartman had 12 digs.
• Adriana Ventura had 12 digs, and two assists.
• Emma Hodgson and Emma Thornton had service aces.
• Hodgson, Phifer, and Kamila Perez Vega had one block each.

 
UP NEXT

• The Immaculata women's volleyball team will be back in action on Friday, October 10, when the host a doubleheader at Alumnae Hall. The Mighty Macs will play Rutgers-Camden at 5 p.m., and York College of Pennsylvania at 7 p.m.