Postgame Interviews

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The 2022 Bentley University women's volleyball season came to a disappointing end Thursday afternoon when the third-seeded Falcons fell to number six Southern New Hampshire University Thursday afternoon in the NCAA Division II East Regional quarterfinals at American International College's Butova Gym.

Bentley (23-7) won the opening set, 25-21, but the next three belonged to the Penmen, 25-20, 25-21 and 25-22.

Bentley head coach Joey Pacis praised the Penmen defense after a match that saw his team hit only .164, including just .138 over the final three sets.

The Falcon middles did hit well with freshman Elizabeth Blinn (Concord, N.H./Concord HS), senior Jolie Schmidt (Louisville, Ky./Ardrey Kell HS (N.C.)) and junior Maddy Kelley (Fitchburg, Wisc./Verona Area HS) combining for 16 kills and no errors. Blinn was particularly impressive as she finished with 11 kills, a .500 hitting percentage and two blocks.

Bentley took charge of the opening set with a 7-1 burst extending a one-point lead to 17-10. That run included a kill and back-to-back aces by senior Ingrid Murphy (Cotuit/Barnstable HS).

The Falcons opened a 4-1 advantage in the second and had what would prove to be their final lead of the match at 8-7. Eight of the next ten points went up on the SNHU side of the scoreboard and the Penmen closed out the set with a 6-1 run.

There were six ties in the third, the last at 19-19, before SNHU used a 6-2 spurt to take a 2-1 lead.

The fourth was knotted at 22 all before SNHU closed out the match with a kill, an ace and a block.

Sophomore Carmen Bernardis (Trieste, Italy) and grad student Alice Arletti (Modena, Italy) both hit very well for the Penmen. Bernardis had 14 kills and a .333 hitting percentage and Arletti hit .300 with 10 kills. Senior Ana Pimenta (Sao Paulo, Brazil) put up a 16-kill, 14-dig double-double and Penmen setter Sara Montefameglio (Turin, Italy) had 48 assists.

For Bentley, Murphy matched Blinn's 11 kills and she also had 22 digs. Graduate student Amanda Parker (St. Charles, Ill./St. Charles North HS), following her final career match, provided 21 assists, seven kills and eight digs.

Parker, who came back this season for her final year of eligibility, said after the match, "I'm grateful I had the opportunity. This was a great season to end with."

Bentley head coach Joey Pacis, when asked about the season, said "I'm really proud of what this team achieved this year. Many teams would have loved to be in this position."

SNHU, 17-7, will face crosstown rival Saint Anselm in the first semifinal Friday and AIC will take on the Adelphi-Jefferson winner in the nightcap.