Springfield, Mass. - The Adelphi University volleyball team made its seventh trip to the Northeast-10 Conference final this season, but fell in straight sets to hosts American International College on Sunday afternoon in the championship contest. 

This marks AIC's second straight NE10 crown, and just third overall, matching Adelphi's title count. Brenna Valsted was named to the NE10 All-Tournament team, after being chosen as a Second Team honoree for All-Conference selections, which were released on Friday. 

Adelphi (21-10) found themselves down early in the opening set, but a kill followed by two service aces from Lilyen McCarthy cut the home team lead to two. That seemed to be the number as the Panthers were unable to get any closer than two points for the remainder of the contest, with the Yellow Jackets closing out the frame with six straight points, hitting a dazzling .516 as a team.

Just like the first, the hosts managed to jump out to a five-point lead which was too great for the Brown and Gold to overcome. A pair of miscues down the stretch allowed AIC to move to 2-0 in the match, with one set standing between them and their third title. 

A pair of four-point runs put the home team in the drivers' seat but an untimely sanction issued to AIC brought Adelphi back within one at 11-12. Still trailing throughout, the Panther attack could not find a groove to string anything together as the Yellow Jackets continued to find the floor and ultimately seal the deal with a 25-20 victory. 

Noelle Alberda and McCarthy led the Panthers with seven kills each, as Jamie Yonker finished with 21 digs. 

Adelphi awaits word on an at-large bid to the 2022 NCAA Division II Championship. The selection show will air tonight (Nov. 13) at 10:30 p.m. on NCAA.com. The Panthers