The Elizabethtown College women’s volleyball team’s season has finally kicked off at home after a long awaited hiatus from the end of last season. After capping off last season with a winning record and a Landmark playoff appearance, the Blue Jays hope to find their first couple of wins of the season after dropping their first match 3-0 against Penn State Harrisburg a few days prior. 

In their first match against the York College Spartans, York took the first set. Etown found an early 9-3 lead in the set, led by junior outside hitter Lucy Stanek and junior setter Marah Glenn. The Blue Jays held the lead at six points through the middle of the set, however, York put together a rally, scoring 11 of the possible 13 points through the next couple of plays, giving them a 21-17 lead. 

Etown got a few points back from kills by Stanek and Glenn, but the Spartans were able to close out the set 25-20. Etown wouldn’t let the one set lead affect them as they came out hot in the second set, ballooning the lead to 9-2. 

The Blue Jays continued to pile on the points as defensive specialist Addy Reed contributed back to back aces for Etown, expanding the lead to as much as 12 points. After trading points back and forth, the Spartans weren’t able to form a rally to catch the Blue Jays as a kill by junior outside hitter Bailey McFeaters secured the set win for Etown 25-13.

Etown repeated their start from the previous set, jumping out to a 6-0 lead early in the third set. The Blue Jays continued to rally as they easily defeated the Spartans 25-20 in the set and brought the same energy into the fourth set. After initially being down 4-3, Etown sparked a huge rally, scoring seven unanswered to break out to a 10-4 lead. 

The Blue Jays continued to storm ahead, scoring another five unanswered to head into a double digit lead in the set, up 15-5. Etown was able to hold this lead for the remainder of the set as a kill by first-year outside hitter Haydn Altland finished off the Spartans as Etown took their first win of the season 3-1.

The Blue Jays moved into their second home match of the season shortly after against the Ursinus Bears. Etown continued their momentum from game one of the tri-match, jumping out to a 9-3 lead after three straight aces from sophomore setter Bailey Doherty. The Blue Jays continued to add onto their lead, with kills from Stanek and graduate middle blocker Kinsey Reuwer leading their charge into a nine point lead. 

Ursinus found some ground as they narrowed the Blue Jay lead to three, however, the Blue Jays held on, taking the first set 25-18 after scoring four straight points to end the set. The Bears kept the second set close, trading points back and forth with the Blue Jays. 

Etown finally found their footing in the middle of the set after kills by McFeaters, Stanek, and Reuwer gave the Blue Jays an eight point lead. Etown continued to rally and the set was capped off by an ace from senior defensive specialist Leah Gormley to give Etown a two set lead. 

Ursinus kept Etown in line in the third set, maintaining a close lead throughout the entirety of the first half of the set. The Bears rallied late in the set, sparking small three point rallies to give them a slight advantage over the Blue Jays and eventually win the third set in a tight 25-22 victory. 

Etown used this set loss to fuel them through the fourth set, building a narrow yet comfortable lead through the set with kills by Stanek and McFeaters leading the charge. After being up four points, the Blue Jays scored six of the next seven points giving Etown just enough to defeat Ursinus 3-1 and move their season record to 2-1.

Stanek led the Blue Jays against York with 16 kills and followed up that performance with 12 kills against Ursinus. McFeaters led Etown against Ursinus with 13 kills and five blocks. In the two games, the Blue Jays put together an impressive 20 aces and 16 blocks as they poured on the points against the two non-conference sides. 

Etown will face off next at home against Messiah on Wednesday Sept. 16 as they look to seek revenge after being swept by the Falcons last season.