The No. 19-ranked Gannon women's volleyball team closed the Opening Roar Tournament in style, sweeping Molloy and powering past Assumption to finish 2–0 on the final day and improve to 3–1 on the season.
After wrapping up their first weekend of competition, head coach Matt Darling noted the value of both the results and the growth his team experienced.
"I feel very good about the three wins we have after the weekend, but I feel even better that we're getting on the bus as a better team than we were when we got off of it on Friday," said Darling. "Several of our younger players gained valuable experience while our returning players worked back into their competition mode. There is still much work ahead of us, but it feels like we took a step forward this weekend."
THE GAME FACTS
Final Score: #19 Gannon 3, Molloy 0 (25–14, 25–15, 25–19)
Records: #19 Gannon 2-1, Molloy 2-1
Location: Bob Houlihan Gymnasium, Rockville Centre, N.Y.
Date: September 6, 2025
Final Score: #19 Gannon 3, Assumption 1 (25–15, 25–17, 23–25, 25–10)
Records: #19 Gannon 3-1, Assumption 0-4
Location: Bob Houlihan Gymnasium, Rockville Centre, N.Y.
Date: September 6, 2025
THE KNIGHT CAP
(Game 1 vs. Molloy)
- Balanced Attack: Carissa Treser (Sewickley, Pa./North Allegheny) and Sydney Wake (Massillon, Ohio/Jackson) each finished with nine kills, Abbey Williams (Chicago, Ill./Mother Mcauley Liberal Arts) added eight, and Lauren Atwell (Mars, Pa./Mars Area) chipped in six.
- Setter's Touch: Bengisu Arslan (Ankara, Turkey/Private Çankaya Doga Anatolian) orchestrated the offense with 31 assists and chipped in three service aces.
- Defensive Stand: Gannon out-blocked Molloy 10–4, with Williams contributing three block assists.
- Service Pressure: The Golden Knights recorded eight aces as a team, keeping Molloy on the defensive throughout.
- Team Efficiency: Gannon hit .287 as a team while holding the Lions to just .057.
- Strong Start: The Knights raced out to a 25–14 win in set one, setting the tone for the sweep.
- Closing Power: After taking the second set 25–15, Gannon withstood a brief push from Molloy in the third before finishing 25–19.
(Game 2 vs. Assumption)
- Abbey Williams (Chicago, Ill./Mother Mcauley Liberal Arts) double-double: 13 kills on .345 hitting while leading the defense with 14 digs.
- Kasey Smith (Meadville, Pa./Villa Maria) dominates at the net: 13 kills with a match-best .611 attack percentage.
- Sydney Wake (Massillon, Ohio/Jackson) contributes 12 kills: Added steady offense with a .370 hitting clip.
- Bengisu Arslan (Ankara, Turkey/Private Çankaya Doga Anatolian) runs the offense: Finished with 49 assists to guide a .304 team attack.
- Alexis Fowler (Cranberry Township, PA/Eden Christian Academy) anchors the back row: Posted a team-high 17 digs.
- Team effort on serve receive: Golden Knights tallied 12 service aces, including three each from Reese Sitter (Hagerstown, Md./Washington County Technical) and Ela Demirel (Marmaris, Turkey/Marmaris Cagdas Bilim High School of Science).
- Gannon efficient on offense: Out-hit Molloy .304 to .158 and held a 53–36 edge in kills.
Up Next
The Golden Knights will hit the road for the Hampton Inn & Suites Grand Rapids Downtown Classic, hosted by Davenport in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Play begins on Friday, September 12, when Gannon faces Findlay at 10 a.m., followed by a matchup against Tiffin at 4 p.m.
This story was written using the support of AI.
