HARRISONBURG, Va. — William & Mary volleyball split a pair of contests at the Erie Insurance Invitational at James Madison on Saturday, sweeping Delaware State 3-0 (25-14, 25-15, 25-17) before falling to UTRGV 3-0 (19-25, 22-25, 23-25) in game two.

GAME ONE VS. DELAWARE STATE
William & Mary opened the first set with a commanding start, as Beatriz Silva delivered two consecutive service aces, contributing to a quick 3-0 lead. The team maintained momentum with Ryann Love and Audrey Brcka combining for decisive kills, supported by Silva's consistent setting. A late surge, highlighted by service aces from Olivia Westfort and Avery Horejsi, helped secure a 25-14 victory in the opening frame, demonstrating the team's effective offensive strategy and execution.

The second set began with an early lead for the Tribe, highlighted by Nicole Smith's kill, assisted by Silva. The team then surged ahead with a 5-2 run, with Brcka delivering three crucial kills, two of which were set up by Silva. Later in the set, a series of consecutive attack errors by Delaware State (4-8) widened the gap. Cate Hatfield's strategic setting and Love's block helped maintain the momentum. W&M secured the set with a decisive 25-15 win, capped by a kill from Sophia Van Name, assisted by Madison Monahan, sealing their dominance in the set.

In the third set, the Green and Gold displayed strong offensive execution, highlighted by a dominant mid-set run. After a 5-5 tie, Monahan orchestrated a powerful surge with key assists, leading to consecutive kills from Brcka and Westfort, contributing to a 7-0 scoring streak that expanded their lead to 12-5. Tulasi Nalluri closed the set with an impressive service performance, including an ace that helped clinch a 25-17 victory, securing the set for the home team.

GAME ONE NUGGETS

• Brcka led the Tribe with 11 kills on a .333 hitting percentage.
• Silva recorded 11 assists and three service aces.
• Westfort tallied five kills, hitting .300.
• W&M racked up nine service aces and held Delaware State to none.
• The Tribe posted a .318 team hitting percentage.

GAME TWO VS. UTRGV
William & Mary started the first set with an early lead, capitalizing on a service error by UTRGV and a service ace from Devereaux Hoxsie to go up 3-1. Despite the initial advantage, UTRGV responded with a scoring run, building a 13-6 lead following two service aces and a series of attack errors. The Tribe rallied behind strong plays from Brcka and Silva, narrowing the gap to 16-14, but UTRGV maintained their momentum and secured the set 25-19.

The second set began with UTRGV taking an early lead, capitalizing on a series of successful plays to establish an 8-1 advantage. Arnason sparked a comeback with back-to-back kills, assisted by Horejsi and Shylah Swope, narrowing the gap to 9-7. Despite Nicole Smith's strong performance, registering multiple kills throughout the set, UTRGV managed to hold onto the lead, ultimately closing the set at 25-22 with a decisive kill by Dimitra Nanou.

W&M opened the third set with an early exchange of points, but a critical service error by UTRGV allowed them to level the score at 2-2. Arnason contributed significantly with two consecutive kills at 7-7, giving her team a brief lead. Despite a late rally with key kills from Brcka and Smith, UTRGV managed to edge past the Green and Gold, sealing the set with a 25-23 victory.

GAME TWO NUGGETS

• Smith had nine kills on a .368 hitting percentage, adding four digs and three blocks.
• Silva registered 13 assists.
• Horejsi had 12 digs and three assists.

UP NEXT
W&M will face James Madison on Sunday. The match is set to begin at 2 p.m. at the Convocation Center.