WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Arcadia University women's volleyball team fell in its opening two matches of the weekend on Friday night at the Worthington Classic, hosted by Gallaudet.
 
The Knights fell in four sets in their opening match against Marymount and fell in three sets in the night cap against Catholic.
 
In the match against Marymount, Danielle Doyle and Katie Paoli paced the Arcadia attack with nine kills each. First-year Kailyn Riggi had a career-high 20 kills in the loss.
 
First-year Alyssa Dennison led the Knights with nine kills in the loss to Catholic. Nicole Dallara had a season-high 21 digs and Riggi added another 17 digs in the second match of the day for Arcadia.
 
MARYMOUNT 3, ARCADIA 1
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
Set 1: Marymount 28, Arcadia 26:
The Knights took the first six points of the set and eventually built their lead to 11-5. Marymount got within a point at 13-12, but Arcadia took the next three points to lead 16-12. The Knights maintained a two-point lead into the late stages of the set, but Marymount went on a 3-0 run to take a 25-24 lead. With Arcadia leading 26-25, the Saints fought off a set point and then won the next two points as well to win the set and take a 1-0 lead in the match.
 
Set 2: Arcadia 25, Marymount 22:
A closely contested start to the set saw Arcadia win five of six points to take a 17-14 lead. Marymount took the next three points to tie the set at 17, and eventually fought back to take a 20-19 lead, but Arcadia won six of the last eight points of the frame to tie the match at one.
 
Set 3: Marymount 25, Arcadia 15:
The Saints distanced themselves in the set through an early 5-0 run, which gave them an 11-5 lead. Marymount maintained its lead through the rest of the frame to take the set.
 
Set 4: Marymount 25, Arcadia 10:
Marymount had a hot start, resulting in a 17-6 lead. The Saints continued their strong play through the remaining parts of the set to win the frame and the match.
 
KNIGHT LEADERS
Kills: Doyle/Paoli (9)
Assists: Estefania Martinez-Sola (18), Kelsi Warner (15)
Digs: Riggi (20), Paoli (11)
Blocks: Martinez-Sola (2), Doyle/Paoli (1)
Aces: Dallara (2), Doyle/Warner (1)
 
CATHOLIC 3, ARCADIA 0
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
Set 1: Catholic 25, Arcadia 19:
Catholic gained an advantage in the set through a 6-0 run, giving it an 18-11 lead. The Cardinals extended their lead to 21-12, but Arcadia got within two points at 21-19 through a 7-0 run. However, Catholic took the final four points of the set to take the opening frame of the match.
 
Set 2: Catholic 25, Arcadia 21:
With the set tied at 12, the Knights took four consecutive points to take a 16-12 lead. The Cardinals answered with a 4-0 run of their own to tie the set. The set was tied at 20 in the late stages, but Catholic closed on a 5-1 run to take a 2-0 lead in the match.
 
Set 3: Catholic 25, Arcadia 23:
Arcadia jumped out to an early 8-4 lead and extended its lead to a 12-7 advantage. The Cardinals took the next five points to tie the set at 12, but Arcadia answered with a 5-1 run to retake the lead at 17-13. Catholic went on an 8-3 run to take the lead at 21-20, but Arcadia took two of the next three points to tie the set at 22. The Cardinals finished on a 3-1 run to close out the set and the match.
 
KNIGHT LEADERS
Kills: Dennison (9), Martinez-Sola (8)
Assists: Martinez-Sola (19), Warner (9)
Digs: Dallara (21), Riggi (17)
Blocks: Doyle/Martinez-Sola (4)
Aces: Doyle/Paoli (2)
 
UP NEXT
The Knights close out play with two more matches at the Worthington Classic tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 23. Action begins at 12 p.m. as Arcadia takes on Utica.