WALTHAM, Mass. – For the third consecutive season, the Adelphi University volleyball team fell to American International College in the Northeast 10 Conference semifinals, as a three-set sweep concluded their run to a tournament crown on Friday evening.
Series History
- Adelphi is now 0-3 this season against the Yellow Jackets in the 2026 campaign, and is now 14-16 all-time dating back to the 2003 season.
- This also marks the third consecutive season that AIC has ended the Panthers' run to a tournament championship.
Highlights
How It Happened
- American International established an early advantage in the opening set, building an 8-4 lead before extending the margin to 13-7. Adelphi looked to respond through Chaapel, who recorded three kills during the set, and later pulled within 14-10. The Yellow Jackets maintained control down the stretch, however, closing out the frame, 25-15.
- The Panthers opened the second set with a Casey kill and traded points with the hosts through a 3-3 tie. American International then strung together a series of points to move ahead, 7-3, and continued to build its advantage. Adelphi found offense through Bigelow, Chaapel and Casey, but the Yellow Jackets carried an 18-9 lead into the closing stretch before taking the set, 25-13.
- American International carried its momentum into the third set, scoring the first four points and moving ahead 11-4. Adelphi answered with kills from Assaley and Bigelow, but the Yellow Jackets continued to hold a sizable lead as the set progressed.
- Trailing 20-9, the Panthers put together a late push behind back-to-back service aces from Brunken, cutting the deficit to 20-12. Isik added a service ace later in the frame, and kills from Waterman and Meyers helped Adelphi reach 16 points. American International ultimately closed out the set, 25-16, to complete the sweep.
Up Next
- Head Coach Danielle MacKnight and the squad will await their fate in the NCAA tournament, with the selection show scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 15 at 10:00 p.m. ET. In this week's NPI rankings, the Panthers appeared at no. 5, which would secure them a spot in the eight-team regional.
