Brandywine Drops Home Opener To DelVal

MEDIA, Pa. -- After 16 consecutive matches away from home to start the season, Penn State Brandywine finally played its home opener Tuesday, but the night was spoiled by Delaware Valley as the Aggies claimed a 3-0 (25-17, 25-22, 25-21) victory over the Lions.

Brandywine got off to a slow start, falling behind 9-2 during the opening set, but rebounded to get within one on a kill by Hannah Sarafinas (Downingtown, Pa./Downingtown West) at 14-13. DelVal pushed back in front by four and then used a 5-0 run, aided by four Brandywine errors, to secure the first set.

The Lions ran out to a 10-3 edge during set No. 2; however, Delaware Valley steadily chipped away, eventually knotting the score at 19-19 following a service ace. That point was part of a 7-0 spurt for the visitors, who used back-to-back kills to take the set and build a 2-0 lead.

The Aggies never trailed during the final frame, opening up a lead of seven points on four occasions, before using three-straight points to extend the margin to 20-11. Brandywine rallied to within 22-19 behind two kills and three DelVal errors, but the Aggies held on for the victory.

Gianna Anthony (Newtown Square, Pa./Sacred Heart Academy), Amanda Floyd (Glenolden, Pa./Interboro) and Brandi James (Glenolden, Pa./Interboro) all reached double figures in digs with Anthony leading the way with 12. James and Floyd both collected 10, while Sarafinas recorded three blocks and Rikelle Taylor (Nottingham, Pa./Solanco) tallied two blocks.

Sarafinas posted a team-high six kills and Taylor registered five, while James produced four. Rebecca Gonzalez (Clearwater, Fla./Washburn Academy) dished out 17 assists and set down two of the Lions' three service aces.

Brandywine (5-12, 4-1 PSUAC) is back at home on Thursday to face Penn State Hazleton at 7:00 pm.