WALTHAM, Mass. – One of the best rivalries in NCAA DII volleyball begins a new chapter when Bentley visits American International Tuesday, Oct. 6, for a 7 p.m. Northeast 10 match.
 
Rivalry renewed
The Falcons and Yellow Jackets have met for three postseason matches in the past two years. Bentley beat the Yellow Jackets in four sets to win the 2025 NE10 title. The year prior, AIC topped the Falcons, 3-1, for the conference crown. Just two weeks later, however, Bentley outlasted AIC in five sets to win the 2024 East Regional Championship.
 
NE10 nods
Tory Vitko was named the NE10 Setter of the Week for the second time this season, and Yasmin Tonon was named the NE10 Rookie of the Week. Vitko notched her third double-double (36 assists, 11 digs) of the season against Adelphi (Oct. 3), while Tonon totaled 18 kills between Bentley wins against Assumption and the Panthers. Vitko ranks second in the NE10 for assists per set (9.17).
 
The two-oh
Sophia Poehlein totaled 20 kills during Bentley's four-set win over Adelphi (Oct. 3). It was her third match this season with at least 20 kills. Poehlein's average of 3.09 kills per set ranks sixth in the NE10.
 
Bringing the blocks
Elena Coban has 11 blocks in her last three matches (eight sets). She is averaging 1.38 blocks per set during that stretch. Aaliyah Price Gooden continues to lead the NE10 in blocks per set (1.12).
 
Scouting American International (16-1, 1-0 NE10)
The Yellow Jackets' lone loss this season was against Mercy in three sets (Sept. 24). AIC leads the NE10 in hitting percentage (.286), while Bentley ranks second (.216). Lajla Rasljanin leads the NE10 in hitting percentage (.456), and Janelys Perez Cortes is the top player in the conference for kills per set (4.39). Fittingly, Victoria Mendez leads the NE10 in assists per set (10.06).