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Daemen University Athletics

Western New York's Premier Division II Team
Fearless, Integrity, Effort, Respect, Commitment, Excitement
Keira Mullen tips the ball over the net in a recent volleyball match for Daemen
Geoff Schneider
1
St. Thomas Aquinas STA 5-17,1-8 ECC
3
Winner Daemen Daemen 11-12,7-3 ECC
St. Thomas Aquinas STA
5-17,1-8 ECC
1
Final
3
Daemen Daemen
11-12,7-3 ECC
Winner
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 4 F
St. Thomas Aquinas STA 25 19 23 16 (1)
Daemen Daemen 16 25 25 25 (3)

Game Recap: Women's Volleyball |

Wildcats Out-Duel Spartans For 7th ECC Win

AMHERST, N.Y. — Daemen (11-12, 7-3 ECC) overcame St. Thomas Aquinas (5-17, 1-8 ECC) with a 3-1 victory on Saturday at Lumsden Gymnasium, rallying after a first-set loss to win the next three sets, 25-19, 25-23, 25-16.

Daemen's balanced attack was highlighted by a .393 hitting percentage in the second set.

Keira Mullen led with 20 kills on 29 attempts, achieving a .621 hitting percentage, and contributed two service aces. Nahirka Malpica recorded 13 kills and secured 17 digs, adding two block assists to her performance. Avery Dole provided a strong setting presence with 26 assists and also contributed a service ace. Solé Rancy was effective at the net, accumulating eight block assists.

Daemen opened the first set with an early exchange of points, including a kill by Mullen assisted by Dole to tie the score at 1-1. Despite a series of effective plays, including kills by Amelia Gonzalez and Malpica, the Wildcats struggled to maintain momentum against St. Thomas Aquinas. After leveling the score at 12-12, Daemen faced a strong response from the visitors, who pulled ahead with a sequence of service aces by Kamila Zoe Rosa and kills by Natassia Romanoff. The set concluded with Daemen trailing, 25-16, as the Spartans secured the opening set.

Daemen capitalized on a series of attack errors by the visitors to gain momentum early in the second set, highlighted by a pivotal kill from Mullen at 3-3. Maddie Schamaun's service ace extended their lead, with additional points coming from blocks by Gonzalez and Molly Ryan. Mullen consistently delivered, notching multiple kills to maintain Daemen's advantage.

St. Thomas Aquinas attempted to close the gap with kills from Romanoff and Laura Rojas Gomez, but Daemen's offensive pressure proved decisive. Malpica sealed the set with a kill, resulting in a 25-19 finish.

Daemen secured a narrow victory in the third set, fueled by a steady offensive effort that included pivotal kills by Malpica and Mullen. Daemen started strongly, building a 10-7 lead with key contributions from Gonzalez and Malpica. Despite a competitive push from the Spartans, Daemen maintained momentum through timely kills from Mullen and Rancy, extending their lead to 22-16. St. Thomas Aquinas rallied late, narrowing the gap to 24-23, but Mullen's decisive kill, assisted by Schamaun, clinched the set at 25-23. The game ended with Daemen emerging victorious.

Daemen established early momentum in the fourth set with a series of successful plays, highlighted by a kill from Ryan assisted by Dole, tying the score at 1-1. This sparked a run, including a kill by Mullen and a service ace by Jarielys Giraud, pushing Daemen ahead 4-1. The Spartans managed brief responses, but Daemen maintained control with consistent scoring, including pivotal kills by Mullen and Malpica.

The home team continued to build their lead with effective contributions from Payton Gaylor and Gonzalez, extending the advantage to 14-6. St. Thomas Aquinas attempted a comeback with scattered points but struggled to close the gap as Daemen capitalized on opponent errors and strategic blocks. Daemen sealed the set with a final score of 25-16, concluding the match with a decisive victory.

Daemen, which has already clinched a berth in the upcoming ECC Championship tournament, closes its home schedule Sunday when league-leading Mercy visits for an 11 a.m. first serve. 

Daemen University features the premier NCAA Division II athletics program in the Buffalo-Niagara region, sponsoring 17 intercollegiate teams. For the latest information on Daemen Athletics, follow the Wildcats via social media on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram, or sign up to receive customizable news alerts, e-mail newsletters and weekly schedule alerts.

Follow the Daemen women's volleyball program on Twitter and Instagram at @DaemenWVB.
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