Center Valley, PA (September 26, 2023) - Senior Delanie Zohler had a season-high 20 kills and added 17 digs leading the DeSales University volleyball team past Arcadia University, 3-2, in a pivotal MAC Freedom match on Tuesday evening in Billera Hall.

The Bulldogs dominated the first set as the Knights committed 10 hitting errors with DSU taking a 1-0 lead on a 25-18 score. In the second set the scored was tied at eight before AU scored five straight points. The Bulldogs trailed by two (17-15) before scoring five straight points to take a 20-17 lead. Leading by one (20-19), the Bulldogs scored three straight on kills from Zohler and senior Paige Lewis and wrapped it up with another kill from Zohler and an ace from senior Alyson Maddalone to win 25-21.

Arcadia took control of the momentum in the third and fourth sets as DeSales hurt themselves committing nine hitting errors in the third set and AU hit .205 in the fourth set to tie the match at 2-2 with back-to-back 25-16 wins.

DSU got off to a quick start in the fifth leading 8-4 before the Knights tied the set at eight. The score remained tied at 11 before a kill from Zohler made it 12-11. AU scored two straight to take a 13-12 lead but a block from Zohler and junior Samantha Worontzoff tied the score at 13, an AU error gave DSU match point, and senior Liz Hessberger closed the match out with an ace.

Zohler led the way with 20 kills, hitting .200, and added 17 digs. Worontzoff added 11 kills, hitting .219, and totaled seven blocks. Junior Mykenah Calder had nine kills and 21 digs and Lewis finished with eight kills. First-year Mackenzie Fox totaled seven kills, hitting .300.

Senior Emma Notarfrancesco had 24 digs and Maddalone totaled 20 digs and two aces. Senior Grace Grandinetti had 28 assists and 10 digs and sophomore Peyton Porterfield added 19 assists.

The Bulldogs are back in action on Friday when they host Kean University in a non-conference match beginning at 6:00 pm.