GLENSIDE, Pa. - The second-seeded Arcadia University women's volleyball team topped No. 3 Misericordia, 3-1, on Wednesday night in the semifinals of the 2022 Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) tournament.
With the win, the Knights advance to Saturday's MAC Freedom Championship Game against top-seeded Stevens. This will Arcadia's first conference championship game appearance since 2019.
Nicole Dallara led the Knights attack with 13 kills. Michelle Frank and Danielle Doyle each chipped in with nine kills also. Frank added a match-high five aces in the victory.
Kelsi Warner dished out 32 assists in the Knights win.
NO. 2 ARCADIA 3, NO.3 MISERICORDIA 1
HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1: Arcadia 25, Misericordia 20: The Knights took the first four points of the match. Misericordia then won seven of the next eight points to take a 7-5 lead. Arcadia retook the lead, 15-12, with a 10-5 run. Arcadia maintained its lead through the late stages of the set and closed out the frame with a 3-0 run to take a 1-0 lead in the match.
Set 2: Arcadia 25, Misericordia 20: The Knights got out to a 10-6 lead in the second set. Arcadia extended its lead to 18-12 with a 4-0 run. Misericordia got within three points at 21-18, but the Knights closed the set on a 4-2 run to take a 2-0 lead in the match.
Set 3: Misericordia 25, Arcadia 17: The Cougars led, 15-8, but Arcadia answered with a 6-0 run to cut the Misericordia lead to 15-14, forcing a Cougar timeout. Misericordia took the next four points out of the timeout to take hold of the set and force a fourth frame.
Set 4: Arcadia 25, Misericordia 13: Misericordia took an early 3-1 lead, but the Knights went on a 10-1 run to take an 11-4 lead. Arcadia maintained its lead throughout the set and closed out the match to move onto the MAC Freedom Championship.
KNIGHT LEADERS
Kills: Dallara (13), Frank/Doyle (9)
Assists: Warner (32)
Digs: Estefania Martinez-Sola (15), Grace Kraft (13), Frank (12)
Blocks: Danielle Doyle (4), Haylee Harper/Martinez-Sola (2)
Aces: Frank (5), Mandy Singleton (2), Kraft (1)
UP NEXT
The Knights look forward to the MAC Freedom Championship against Stevens on Saturday, Nov. 5. Match time is scheduled for 1 p.m.