Frederick, Md. (Oct. 28, 2021)- Alvernia University (10-14, 2-6) finished off the season strong with a 3-1 win over Hood College (3-18, 0-8) on Thursday night in MAC Commonwealth women's volleyball action on Thursday night at Hood.
 
Both teams started the match out neck and neck before the Golden Wolves took a slim 10-8 lead. Hood was able to keep pace with Alvernia for the first set until a block by Allie Evangelista and Molly Gaffney helped give the Golden Wolves a five-point lead.
 
The Blazers battled back and were able to draw the match even, 23-23. Despite this late-game push by Hood, Alvernia pushed back and was able to claim the first set, 27-25.
 
The second set saw Hood take a quick 7-4 lead. The Golden Wolves showed their resiliency as Rachel Sipling picked up a quick kill along with a block that helped spark a 9-0 run. The Blazers were able to stop the bleeding and brought the deficit to just one.
 
As the set progressed, neither team was able to gain much ground, with Alvernia holding onto a slim lead. The Golden Wolves received a boost after Evangelista recorded a big kill that forced the Blazers to use their last timeout. The final point of the set came off a missed attack by Hood to give Alvernia the 25-22 second set win.
 
In the third set, Hood started strong, taking a quick 10-4 lead. Despite this fast start, Alvernia once again showed its resiliency as senior Olivia Frutiger helped guide the team on a 9-4 run. The Golden Wolves continued to fight, and a service ace by Alexis Schwenk drew the match even, 16-16.
 
Hood was able to press Alvernia's defense and take a slim two-point lead. Hood held off Alvernia and took the 25-21 set three win to force a fourth set.
 
The fourth set started neck and neck, with both teams knotted at 7-7 early. The set continued to stay close throughout its entirety, with Alvernia and Hood tied at 20-20 later in the fourth.
 
The Golden Wolves broke the tie, as Sipling recorded two of the final five points to finish the set 25-20 and take the match 3-1.
 
Sipling tallied 16 kills, 13 digs, and three service aces. Evangelista recorded nine kills and four total blocks while Schwenk dished out 17 assists.
 
The 3-1 win wraps up Alvernia's 2021 season. The Golden Wolves finish the year at 10-14 overall and 2-6 in MAC Commonwealth play.