ASTON, Pa. – Although Immaculata women's volleyball nearly let a 2-0 lead slip on Wednesday against the Neumann University Knights, the Mighty Macs rallied in the fifth set to win 3-2. Women's volleyball also clinched a spot in the 2025 Atlantic East Conference playoffs.
The Mighty Macs are 11-15 for the season. They are 4-2 in AEC play.
HOW IT HAPPENED AGAINST NEUMANN
- The Mighty Macs gradually built an early lead, despite the Knights being right behind. With the score at 10-9, a 4-0 run gave the Mighty Macs a five-point cushion. The two sides traded points until Neumann tied the set 19-19. Although the home team scored four straight to go up 23-21, Immaculata stormed back with four points of their own to win set one 25-23.
- Even with the Mighty Macs up 6-2 in set two, Neumann chipped away at the deficit and tied the set 9-9. Immaculata would score eight of the next 10 points to distance themselves from Neumann. Emma Hodgson had a kill and an ace in that run. Similar to the first set, where the Mighty Macs were trailing late, they rallied to grab the lead back behind two Damani Myers kills. Mia Esposito ended the set with a kill, giving Immaculata another 25-23 win.
- The third set was hotly-contested in the beginning stages. Despite an 8-6 lead for Immaculata, the Knights used a 9-0 swing to go up by seven. The Mighty Macs responded with a few kills and Neumann errors, but the Knights closed out the set 25-15.
- Immaculata led 3-2 in set four before Neumann ripped off five straight points. The Mighty Macs came to within a point after a 6-1 push. With Immaculata leading 17-16, Neumann took nine of the next 10 points and claimed a 25-18 set four victory.
- The final set was tight with multiple lead changes. The Mighty Macs would see a 7-4 advantage after two crucial aces from Adriana Ventura. The Knights regained the lead 15-14, forcing a Mighty Macs timeout. Down to their last chance, Immaculata scored the last three points, with the latter two being Esposito kills. Immaculata won the set 17-15, and the match 3-2.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Esposito had a career-high 20 kills.
- Angelica Santini Bulerin posted a season-high 37 assists. An additional 14 digs gave her a double-double.
- Alayah Phifer also had a double-double with 14 kills and 10 digs. The 14 kills were a career-high.
- Ventura registered a season-high five aces.
UP NEXT
The Mighty Macs finish out the regular season on Saturday, Nov. 8 at 11 a.m. They will be in Gwynedd Valley, Pa. to face the Gwynedd Mercy University Griffins.
