Brandywine Falls 3-1 At Centenary

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. – The Penn State Brandywine volleyball team was defeated at Centenary University by a score of 3-1 (18-25, 25-22, 17-25, 19-25) on Thursday night.

Brandywine led the opening set 11-10, but the Cyclones answered with a 10-2 run and used back-to-back kills to claim the stanza.

The Lions evened the match by winning the second frame 25-22. Two-straight aces from Emma O'Reilly (Horsham, Pa./Hatboro-Horsham) capped a 6-1 spurt to begin the set, but Centenary would rally to tie the score at 14-all. Two-straight Cyclone errors helped Brandywine regain the lead and the Lions would hold on, winning the set thanks to a kill from Morgan Rizer (Denton, Md./North Caroline).

The hosts led the third set by as many as six points before five-straight Brandywine markers, including a pair of aces from Lara Zima (Hollywood, Fla./Westminster Academy), brought Brandywine within one. Centenary closed the period by claiming nine of the final 11 points to grab a 2-1 edge in the match.

Centenary held a 16-9 advantage during the final frame and held off a Brandywine charge. Aces from Zima and O'Reilly spurred a 7-1 spurt that helped the Lions close within one. After a timeout, the hosts regained the momentum, outscoring Brandywine 8-3 to win the set and the match.

O'Reilly and Rizer tied for the team lead with five kills, while Zima posted eight assists and six aces and O'Reilly added five aces.

Defensively, Zima paced the Lions with 20 digs. Ava De La Osa (Dania Beach, Fla./Nova) notched 15 digs, while O'Reilly added nine.

Brandywine (2-3) hosts Carlow Saturday at noon.