Newark, Del. - After dropping a four-set first game to Jefferson University, the Adelphi University volleyball program capped day one at the Wildcat Invitational with a win, defeating Holy Family University in straight sets. The Panthers (1-5) took one set from the Rams (2-4) 17-25, 28-26, 23-25, 17-25 early Friday afternoon before topping the Tigers 25-16, 25-16, 25-14 to earn their first win in 2017. 

Adelphi vs. Jefferson
The Brown and Gold fell behind early in the first set when a three-point spurt put the Rams ahead, 6-4. They carried that momentum through the middle of the set to command a six-point lead, posting a 7-4 run down the stretch to secure the win. Adelphi was able to battle through a 10-point deficit in the second set to even the match at one all with a 28-26 victory. A 10-1 run, with kills from Leilani Vazquez and Cara McKenzie bolstered the team to come within one.

Two big blocks at the net gave the Panthers their first lead from the start and a Kiara Stephens kill ended the second set with AU on top. Both teams battled through the third set as four more kills from the Rams helped them edge a 25-23 win. Jefferson was able to take another early lead in the fourth set, making it another come from behind opportunity for Adelphi. However a seven-point advantage late in the game helped JU close out the match with a 25-17 win.

McKenna Clawson was responsible for a season-high 12 kills despite the loss, coupled with nine digs. Katie Barry notched a double-double accounting for a team-high 22 assists and 12 digs as Megan Manierski chipped in 11 assists as well.

Adelphi vs. Holy Family
Adelphi was able to use a .253 team hitting percentage in the second match of the day to earn their first win in 2017. Behind the .500 percentages from Cara McKenzie and Manierski, the Panthers out hit the Tigers 35-28 and only committed 10 errors on the attack. AU jumped out to a 9-2 lead in the first- an advantage they would never relinquish. A 7-2 run pushed them over the brink of 20 as a block and kill secured the set-one win for the Brown and Gold. 

Tables turned to start the second, however five unanswered points sparked by back-to-back kills from Clawson put Adelphi back in control. After trading points, the Panthers used a 7-2 ride to close out the frame and take a 2-0 advantage in the game. Again the Garden City based team pulled ahead in a hurry, taking a 6-1 lead in the third. Steady play throughout coupled with four consecutive points closing out the game allowed the Panthers to secure their first win of the season. 


Adelphi returns back on day two of the Wildcat Invitational Saturday, September 9 when they take on hosts Wilmington University at 10:00 a.m. followed by a 4:00 p.m. match against Chestnut Hill College.  About Adelphi Athletics:
Adelphi University joined the Northeast-10 Conference in the fall of 2009 and in the past eight seasons, has collected 23 regular season conference titles, 25 tournament championships, 33 individual crowns and captured the Northeast-10 Presidents' Cup four times (2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017), while winning six NCAA Division II National Championships.

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