WALTHAM, Mass. – The new nest is unblemished. The Bentley volleyball team won its 2025 home debut in the newly renovated Dana Center gym with a 3-1 (25-20, 25-23, 22-25, 25-22) victory over Post Thursday night.

Bentley sophomore Sophia Poehlein had a career-high 23 kills while attacking at an absurd .500 clip. Her previous high was 22 kills, which she achieved during the 2024 Northeast 10 Championship match at American International.

Tory Vitko finished with a season-high 48 assists, and she recorded her fifth double-double of the season by adding 16 digs. She and Lauren Hallas both served up three aces in the win.

Early in the second set, Vitko's service helped lead Bentley to a 7-0 run. All three of Vitko's aces came during the run that gave Bentley a 14-10 lead in the second, and Poehlein added two kills during that stretch. The frame was tied, 21-21, but a Poehlein kill followed by an Eagles error gave Bentley a bit of a cushion.

With hopes of evening up sets at one apiece, Post trailed in the second frame, 24-23. That's when Lulu Pavan put away one of her 11 kills to move Bentley on to the third set with a 2-0 advantage.

Post opened the third frame with a 5-0 run. Bentley eventually caught up and a kill by Hannah Rounds evened the score, 13-13. Still, the Eagles were able to force a fourth set.

Bentley looked like it was going to cruise in the fourth set when the Falcons had an 8-3 lead. The advantage grew to 12-5 following a kill by Poehlein.

Falcons still had to weather a Post run. Bentley was up 17-11 when the Eagles went on an 8-1 run to claim a 19-18 lead. Bentley was down by two, 22-20, but a kill by Poehlein sparked a 5-0 to close out the match.  

The Falcons return home Tuesday, Sept. 30, to host Assumption for a non-conference match that starts at 7 p.m.