SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Sophia Poehlein put away 22 kills to lead the Bentley volleyball team to a 3-1 win (25-20, 25-20, 19-25, 25-21) at American International Tuesday night. It was the Yellow Jackets' second loss of the season, while Bentley pushed its winning streak to 12 matches. The Falcons (13-6, 2-0 NE10) have also now won 38 consecutive matches against in-region opponents.
Poehlein attacked at a .404 clip against the Yellow Jackets (16-2, 1-1 NE10). It was her third time hitting over .400 this season, and her fourth match with 20+ kills.
Tory Vitko, who recently earned her second NE10 Setter of the Week nod of 2026, recorded her fourth double-double of the season by totaling 40 assists and 10 digs. It was her fifth match this season with at least 40 assists.
Karina May aided Bentley's defensive efforts with a season-high 11 digs, and
Sasha Luzina added 12 digs.
Elena Coban and
Aaliyah Price Gooden each finished the win with four blocks.
The Falcons never trailed in the first set, which was no easy feat. Although Bentley held a 16-9 lead, AIC went on a 4-0 run to get to within two points. The Yellow Jackets eventually tied the set at 18-18, but a
Lulu Pavan kill put the Falcons back in front. AIC answered with a kill of its own, but from there Bentley went on a 5-0 run.
AIC held a modest lead early in the second set. The score was tied, 6-6, when the Falcons went on an 8-2 run. A kill by Gooden, followed by a
Yasmin Tonon ace, started the run. It was all the cushion Bentley needed to win the second set.
The Yellow Jackets ran out to a 5-1 lead in the third set, and they never trailed for the rest of the stanza.
Bentley trailed in the third set, 9-6, when kills by Olivia Alcante and Poehlein, along with a couple of AIC errors, tied the set at 10-10. The rivals went back and forth until the Falcons pulled ahead for a 17-15 lead. AIC was unable to even up the score as Bentley ran away with the set and the match.
Bentley returns home to host Pace Saturday, Oct. 10, at 1 p.m.
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