Women's Volleyball sweeps Molloy, Holy Family on opening day of East Region Clash

SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts - The American International College women's volleyball team took care of business on the first day of the International Volleyball Hall of Fame East Region Clash on Friday, September 15, defeating Molloy University 25-21, 25-20, 25-15 and then downing Holy Family University 25-13, 25-14, 25-14 to improve to 4-5 on the season.

The first set with the Lions was evenly matched; midway through, the guests held a 13-12 lead. Tied 18-18, the Yellow Jackets made a move, as Aleksandra Ivanovic and Paola Soto Burgos each landed a kill, and then combined for a block to push AIC ahead three. That put the set out of reach, and Amber Williams closed out with a kill.

AIC jumped to a 3-0 lead in set two, and although the Lions pushed back at first, the Yellow Jackets took control with a five-point run and a six-point run as part of 14 of 16 to take a commanding 19-6 lead. The Lions did not quit, putting together three separate four-point runs. The hole was too deep to dig out of, however, and Dila Derendeli landed the kill to end the set.

In the third, AIC came out looking to put it away. An eight-point run early on, one which saw five different players score points, gave the Yellow Jackets an 11-2 lead. They held the Lions off from there, and a combo block from Amber Williams and Victoria Mendez finished the match with a flourish.

Against the Tigers, AIC took advantage of offensive struggles. Holy Family hit negative in the first set, and the Yellow Jackets built up an early lead on their way to the win. AIC collected three blocks in the set, and Ivanovic scored six of the points with three kills, a block, and two aces. 

The second was more of the same as the Tigers had a negative attack percentage, while AIC swung at a blistering .571 rate. AIC led 8-1 thanks to an early run, and the Tigers never came closer than down four.

In the finale, the Yellow Jackets cruised through the middle of the set, pulling away with a six-point run for a 20-10 lead. An attack by Holy Family that missed the mark was the match point, capping AIC's sweep of the day.

Williams had an impressive day, collecting 12 kills on just 20 swings with five blocks; Ivanovic added 14 kills and five blocks. Alice Di Francesco totaled 53 assists and even got in on the offense with six kills.

The Yellow Jackets host Saint Anselm College to close out the East Region Clash on Saturday, September 16 at 2:00 p.m.