SCRANTON, Pa. – The University of Scranton volleyball team (1-0) rolled to a 3-0 sweep of the Misericordia Cougars (0-1) in the 2024 season opener on Friday evening at the John Long Center in Scranton.

Misericordia led 11-10 in the first set when a service error marked the beginning of seven consecutive points for the Royals including an ace from junior Camryn Hoffman (Rockville Centre, N.Y./South Side). From there, the Cougars were unable to get any closer than four the rest of the way and senior Katherine Denitz (Lansdale, Pa./Gwynedd Mercy Academy) helped close out the 25-17 victory with a pair of kills.

Following a service ace from senior Gianna Detorie (Rumford, R.I./Bishop Feehan), the Royals led 8-3 in the early stages of the second set. However, Misericordia was able to battle back and tied the match on several occasions including at 16 apiece before a ball handling error helped Scranton record five of the next six points. Junior Maddie Forry (Reading, Pa./Exeter Township) delivered a service ace of her own for a 21-17 edge and classmate Deanna Whelpley (Congers, N.Y./Immaculate Heart Academy) came through with a kill to seal the 25-19 win.

Things were deadlocked at nine apiece in the third set when the Royals tallied eight straight points including a pair of kills from Whelpley to make it a 16-9 advantage. The Cougars would not go quietly and fought back within three, but took three of the final four points and senior Sophia Hadjiyane (Huntington, N.Y./John Glenn) sealed the sweep with a kill.

Whelpley led the way offensively with 11 kills and hit .333 in the victory, while Denitz added six kills of her own. Sophomore setter Cammi Quirk tallied a match-high 18 assists and Detorie added 11.

Defensively, Hoffman paced the Royals with 14 digs and Forry came through with nine.

Scranton will take on Coast Guard (11 a.m.) and New Paltz (6:30 p.m.) in a pair of matches as part of the annual Scranton Invite on Saturday.

--ROYALS--