Garden City, N.Y. - With 19 seasons at the helm, head coach Danielle MacKnight reached her 13th season with 20 wins in 2025, after the Adelphi University volleyball team topped Caldwell University on Thursday, 3-0. 

The Cougars - who remain winless this season - put up a battle in two of the three frames, but ultimately could not overcome the Panthers. Madeleine Chaapel was the offensive leader for the home team, totaling 15 kills with a .370 hitting percentage to boot. Melana Bigelow delivered a new career-high in service aces, tallying five of Adelphi's 11 in the victory. 

Adelphi used a pair of Macarty McQueen kills and a service ace from Katie Brokes to pull away from the Cougars (0-21) in the opening set - but the visitors stormed back to even th set at 13-all. With the end in sight, the Panthers continued to stave off Caldwell, who kept finding ways to sideout. Mackenzie Casey and Elena Covic closed out the set with a kill and block, respectively to give Adelphi a 1-0 lead in the match. 

The hosts held Caldwell to a negative hitting percentage in the second and racked up six service aces en route to a 25-11 decision. Casey held onto a a seven-point serving run to bolster the 2-0 advantage at the conclusion of the set. 

Following an Ana Carolina Westerich sneak attack, Caldwell called a timeout, trailing 6-13. A five-point swing in favor of the Cougars set them back four, and they managed to tie up the frame at 17-17. With match point looming, MacKnight had to call a timeout of her own after the visitors brought it within two. A timely kill for the Cougars made it a one-point game, but Tessa LaFrenier got in the last word after stopping a Caldwell attempt in the final rally. 

The team bounces back into league play on Saturday, Nov. 8 when they host Saint Michael's College at 1:00 p.m.. Prior to the start of the game, the department and program will recognize the members of its graduating class - that includes Delaney Kiendra, Macarty McQueen and Sarah Munn.