SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts – For the third time in four seasons, the American International College women's volleyball team won the Northeast-10 Conference Championship Tournament, defeating Bentley University 25-19, 19-25, 25-22, 25-19 in the NE10 Championship Game.

AIC is now 19-6 overall, and will advance to the NCAA Division II East Region Tournament as the NE10's automatic qualifier. 

It was an offensive-minded first set; though AIC combined on two blocks early with Aleksandra Lucic and Victoria Mendez, both teams racked up kills, with AIC building an 11-3 edge. The Falcons pushed back, but service errors prevented Bentley from closing the gap effectively, and the set ended with Perla Rosa's block cover finding its way back onto the Bentley side of the net and landing in play for a rare libero kill.

Bentley made some adjustments, as Adelphi had the night before, and was able to slow AIC's attack in the second set. Though AIC rallied mid-set to take a 16-14 lead, the Falcons bounced back, and rattled off seven straight points at the end to win the set 25-19, with Lauren McCloskey's three kills a key piece to the run.

Daniella Russo-Lolas helped AIC to a big lead early in the third, firing three straight aces in a six-point run. Bentley battled back again, and took a 15-13 lead on a combo block by Elizabeth Blinn and Rachel Vitko, but AIC snapped off six straight with multiple kills by Victoria Soto Burgos. Bentley surged ahead with two Tory Vitko to Rachel Vitko kills before AIC finished off the set with Gabryela Castro de Jesus landing a block and then back-to-back kills to end it.

With the title now in reach, the Yellow Jackets had to shrug off a desperation surge by the Falcons, who matched the home squad through the first 24 points. AIC began to pull away from then on, and led 20-18 before another Rosa surprise was followed by a pair of Lucic and Carissa Michel combo blocks. On match point, the block ended it, with Lucic and Janelys Perez Cortes turning a McCloskey attempt aside to win the crown.

"We couldn't be more grateful for the support that we've received. These fans are the best in the business," Head Coach Matthew Cribbin said after the match of the crowd, adding "This gym is our fortress. We walk out on the court every day in practice, every game, with pride to play here."

Soto Burgos, who was named NE10 Tournament MVP, said of the honor "I just feel so grateful for my coaches, my teammates, all my friends, and especially my sister because they have all supported me through this journey." Her sister, Paola Soto Burgos, was named the 2021 NE10 Tournament MVP, and the duo are the first sisters to both earn the accolade in NE10 history.

Victoria's play in the championship was incredible; she made 10 kills on 21 swings with no errors, leading AIC with a .476 attack percentage. Castro de Jesus led AIC in total kills with 14, while Mendez dished 29 assists and Alice Di Francesco 17. Lucic made 10 total blocks to lead the match.

AIC now awaits seeding by the NCAA for the upcoming East Region Championship.