WALTHAM, Mass. – From Vermont to Colorado, the Bentley volleyball team has showcased its prowess across the country in the early goings of the 2025 season. This weekend, the Falcons compete in their home state of the first time. Bentley is set for the International Volleyball Hall of Fame (IVHF) East Region Clash, Sept. 19-20, hosted by American International in Springfield, Mass.
 
The competition
Bentley begins the weekend taking on Molloy Friday at 3:30 p.m. Bentley's Saturday begins at 9 a.m. against Bridgeport, and later that day the Falcons take on AIC (non-conference) at 2 p.m. The battle against AIC is a rematch of the 2024 East Regional Championship, which the Falcons won in five sets in Waltham.
 
Put some miles on it
Bentley went 3-1 during the Saint Michael's Windjammer Classic, with the one loss coming against No. 12 Nebraska-Kearney. Bentley was 1-3 in the Colorado Premier Challenge, where the Falcons faced more nationally-ranked teams: No. 2 Angelo State, No. 5 West Texas A&M, No. 15 Point Loma.
 
Collecting accolades
Bentley already has five Northeast 10 weekly honors this season. Tory Vitko has twice been named the NE10 Setter of the Week (Sept. 8; Sept. 15), Elizabeth Blinn was the NE10 Defensive Player of the Week (Sept. 8), while Lulu Pavan (Sept. 8) and Katelyn Rutledge (Sept. 15) have both earned NE10 Rookie of the Week.
 
Top of the NE10
So far this season, Bentley leads the NE10 in kills per set (12.39) and hitting percentage (.181). Tory Vitko is the conference leader for assists per set (9.04), and Elizabeth Blinn is tops in blocks per set (1.54).
 
Looking ahead
Bentley makes its home debut Wednesday, Sept. 25, against Post.