Philadelphia, PA - (10/14/10) – Freshmen, middle hitter Mary Markowski (Parkton, MD) and outside hitter Kailey Arlen (Orland Park, IL) powered Chestnut Hill College to an opening 25-20 win in this evening's opening set against Goldey-Beacom College. Unfortunately, the Lightning recovered to win the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) 3-1 (20-25, 25-23, 25-23, 25-18).  

Chestnut Hill College (4-18, 1-10) rocketed out to a 15-9 lead with strong play from the frontline and sophomore setter Courtney Gallo (Wilmington, DE). Gallo supplied the offense, which hit .344 (14K-3E-32TA) in the opening set and led the Griffins to a 25-20 win. The Griffins continued to hit well in the second set with a .368 (19K-5E-38TA) team hitting percentage, but Goldey-Beacom College (6-13, 1-10) matched the effort and stole the frame 25-23. The Lightning won the third set by same final, 25-23, and they eventually claimed the 3-1 win with a 25-18 victory in the fourth set.

Sophomore opposite Monica Dempsey (Seacaucus, NJ) led the Lightning with 13 kills, 22 assists, two aces, and 19 digs. Junior outside hitter Roni Shaner (Elkton, MD) added ten kills, 19 assists, an ace, and eight digs.

Sophomore right side Madelynn Ries (Antananarivo, Madagascar) finished as the Griffins leading performer with a career-high 16 kills. Markowski added 13 kills and Arlen totaled ten kills, while sophomore middle hitter Cassie Benson (Rosamond, CA) recorded eight kills and five blocks. The Griffin frontline combined for a .305 (47K-15E-105TA) hitting percentage. Gallo supplied 37 assists and freshman setter Allison Eberly (Orwigsburg, PA) provided another ten assists. Defensively, sophomore libero Elisabeth DiGregorio (Conshohocken, PA) made 22 digs while defensive specialist Bobbie Chukuntarod (San Francisco, CA) totaled 13 digs.

The women's volleyball team returns to Sorgenti Arena on Wednesday, October 20, when they host Philadelphia University in a 7:00 p.m. CACC match.