WALTHAM, Mass. – Three Falcons notched double-digit kills as the Bentley volleyball team opened its Northeast 10 season with a 3-1 (26-24, 23-25, 25-20, 25-11) home win over Adelphi Saturday afternoon.
Sophia Poehlein led all players with 20 kills, while
Lulu Pavan and
Yasmin Tonon each added 10. It was Poehlein's third match this season with at least 20 kills.
The first two sets between the Falcons (12-6, 1-0 NE10) and Panthers (9-9, 0-1 NE10) were closely contested. Adelphi held a 21-18 lead in the first set, but a kill by Pavan sparked a 4-0 Bentley run to take a 22-21 advantage. The Panthers fought back to pull in front, 24-23, but Poehlein kept the set alive for Bentley with a kill.
Tory Vitko followed by serving an ace, and Poehlein sealed the stanza with another kill.
The second set was a bit of a role reversal from the first. The Falcons held a 22-17 lead, but the Panthers put together a 5-0 run to tie the frame, 22-22. Tonon tallied a kill, but then Adelphi accounted for the next three points to win the second.
The Falcons decided that was enough of going blow-for-blow with the Panthers. Bentley never trailed in the third north fourth sets, securing its 11
th consecutive win. It was also the Falcons' 37
th consecutive win against an in-region opponent.
A highly anticipated rivalry match awaits the Falcons in Springfield, Mass., where Bentley takes on American International Tuesday, Oct. 6, at 7 p.m.
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