ASHLAND, Ohio — The Daemen University women's volleyball team split Saturday's matches at the Ashland University Invitational, first falling to host Ashland, 0-3, but rebounding with a 3-1 win over Ursuline College in their final match of the tournament on Saturday afternoon. With Saturday's results, the Wildcats move to 2-2 on the year. 

MATCH 1, DAEMEN AT ASHLAND
The Wildcats dropped their first match of the day to host school Ashland University, 0-3 (19-25, 26-28,16-25) on Saturday morning in the first of two matches on the final day of the Ashland University Invitational. 

Set 1

• Daemen started strong with a service ace from sophomore outside hitter Avery Craig (Tomball, Tex.), tying the score at 2-2 until Ashland capitalized on Daemen's attack errors, moving ahead 7-5.
• A kill by senior outside hitter Nahirka Malpica (Caguas, P.R.) narrowed Ashland's lead to 17-15, but Daemen couldn't sustain the momentum against Ashland's consistent attacks. The Eagles closed the set 25-19, overcoming Daemen's efforts to rally late in the frame.  

Set 2

• The Wildcats jumped to a 3-1 lead early. Malpica recorded multiple kills, contributing to Daemen's 9-4 advantage in the early stages.  
• Ashland responded with a 6-1 run, leveling the score at 15-15. Critical kills in the closing moments by the Eagles secured the set 28-26 for Ashland.

Set 3   

• A 4-0 run by Daemen, including a kill by Malpica and a block by freshman middle blocker Solé Rancy (Columbus, Ohio) and sophomore right side Payton Gaylor (Bowmanville, Ont.), gave the Wildcats the 7-5 advantage early. Ashland responded with a 7-0 surge, highlighted by two service aces to reclaim the lead at 11-8. 
• A late rally by Daemen, including two kills from Malpica, narrowed the deficit to 19-16. The Eagles closed the set with a decisive 6-0 run to take the third 25-16 and win the match, 3-0.

Malpica led Daemen for the third straight match, finishing with 14 kills while chipping in six digs. Fifth year setter Avery Dole (Summerfield, N.C.) recorded 17 assists . Craig bolstered the defense with nine digs and was effective at the service line, tallying two service aces. Freshman outside hitter Keira Mullen (Farmingdale, N.J.) added seven kills and one block assist, providing additional support at the net.

MATCH 2, DAEMEN VS URSULINE
The Wildcats secured a 3-1 (25-19, 16-25, 25-16, 26-24) victory over Ursuline in the final match of the Ashland University Invitational on Saturday afternoon fueled by 13 service aces and a strong fourth-set finish.

Set 1  

• Daemen opened strong with a Dole ace kill from Mullen to take an early 3-0 lead. The Wildcats then put together a 6-0 run, highlighted by a Malpica kill and a block by Kate Trueblood to extend Daemen's advantage to 9-2. 
• Midway through the set, Malpica maintained offensive pressure with multiple kills from Gaylor and junior setter Molly Ryan (Orchard Park, N.Y.) contributed to a 17-9 lead. Despite a late push by the Arrows, Daemen closed the set at 25-19 with Malpica scoring the final point on a kill.

Set 2  

• The Arrows quickly established control with a 4-0 run. Mullen scored Daemen's the opening point with a kill assisted by Dole, but the Arrows responded with a 7-1 stretch to push their advantage to 7-2. 
• Gaylor delivered two kills mid-set, keeping Daemen competitive at 10-6, but the Arrows maintained pressure, extending the lead to 14-6 with consecutive attack errors from Daemen. Ursuline capped the set off with a 25-16 victory to move to 1-1 in the match. 

Set 3  

• Daemen opened with early momentum, scoring the first three points, and extended the lead with a service ace from Mullen to 7-1.
• Ryan's serve sparked a 6-0 run for Daemen, highlighted by multiple attack errors from the Arrows, stretching the score to 15-6.  
• Despite a brief Ursuline rally, Daemen maintained control and closed the set 25-16 on a kill by Gaylor.

Set 4  

• After Daemen kicked off the fourth with three straight points, the Arrows responded with a 5-0 run to take a 5-3 advantage.  
• The Wildcats regained momentum with a 4-point stretch, including a kill and block by Malpica, moving ahead 11-7.  
• Trailing 24-22, Daemen mounted a comeback with a kill from freshman outside hitter Nicole Giardina (Midland, Mich.) and two points from Dole, including a match-winning service ace, to secure a 26-24 victory in the set.

2025 East Coast Conference Preseason Player of the Year Malpica again led the team with double-digit kills, finishing with 13 with a .267 hitting percentage while adding three block assists for a team-high 15.5 points. Dole ran the offense with 18 assists and added 12 digs on the defensive end, adding two aces on the day. Rancy was a defensive presence with five total blocks, including one solo block. Gaylor added 12 kills, maintaining a hitting percentage of .292, and contributed two block assists.

UP NEXT
The Wildcats will make their 2025 Lumsden Gymnasium debut next weekend with three matches at the Wildcat Classic Presented by Ellicott Hotels. Daemen opens up the tournament with their home opener on Friday night against Clarion University at 6 PM. 

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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.

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