WALTHAM, Mass. – They're the two-time defending NCAA East Regional Champs. They're favored to win the Northeast 10 title this year. They're nationally ranked No. 18 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) preseason poll.
The Bentley volleyball team enters the 2025 season with a target on its back, and the Falcons wouldn't want it any other way.

The program won its first-ever regional title in 2023, and Bentley repeated the feat in 2024 – and then some. Last year's squad reached the NCAA Semifinals for the first time in program history when the Falcons upset top-ranked Ferris State in the NCAA Quarterfinals.

This year, Bentley aims to take yet another step forward.

Among the Falcons' key returners, senior captain Elizabeth Blinn was an AVCA All-Region First Team honoree last fall, and sophomore Sophia Poehlein was an AVCA All-Region Honorable mention. Blinn finished the season ranked sixth in the nation for blocks per set (1.44). Poehlein became the first player in program history to be named to the NCAA All-Tournament Team, averaging 3.00 kills per set through Bentley's five NCAA Tournament matches.

Blinn earned All-NE10 First Team last year, and Poehlein was named to the All-NE10 Second team. Poehlein wasn't the only Falcon to have a standout rookie season. Fellow classmate Tory Vitko was also named to the All-NE10 Second Team.
Vitko ranked third in the NE10 for assists per set (7.84) last year. She totaled 10 double-doubles, and she recorded a triple-double. Vitko had a season-high 51 assists during the NE10 Championship match at American International.

Bentley head coach Joey Pacis expects several Falcons to rise to the occasion with increased opportunity in 2025. Senior captain Hannah Rounds is a leading candidate at outside hitter, while sophomores Aria Birdsong and Julia Kleinle aim to show off all they had learned from their rookie season. Pacis also anticipates freshman Lulu Pavan to play her way into making an impact as a rookie.

Falcon fans may remember Caitlin Wunder '25, whose imposing 6-4 height and athleticism led to All-NE10 honors in 2024. Freshman Katelyn Rutledge may quickly slide into Wunder's former role, as Rutledge, too, stands at 6-4.    

Senior captain libero Erica Borzone will help lead Bentley's defensive efforts this fall. Pacis is looking forward to Sasha Luzina, Sofia Zingariello, and Elena Coban joining those efforts – all three of whom battled significant injuries last year. Elliet Manning and Lauren Hallas join Vitko in setting up hitters this fall. All three Bentley setters have NCAA Elite Eight experience from a year ago.

Pacis is also excited to welcome NCAA D-I transfer Karina May to the program. May, a sophomore, previously played at Miami (Ohio).

Bentley's 2025 season begins with the St. Michael's Windjammer (Sept. 5-6). Between those two days, the Falcons will battle East Stroudsburg, Franklin Pierce, Nebraska-Kearney, and St. Michael's.

In one of the biggest developments of the offseason, Bentley was invited to the Colorado Premiere Challenge (Sept. 12-13). The prestigious annual tournament, typically full of nationally-ranked teams, is hosted by No. 6Metro State Denver and Regis. Bentley is just the second New England team in the past 30 years to receive an invitation to the Colorado Premiere Challenge. In Denver, the Falcons will take No. 8 West Texas A&M and No. 16 Point Loma (a third opponent is TBD).

Bentley's home opener is Sept. 25 against Post. The first conference match is at home against Southern New Hampshire (Oct. 4).