WALTHAM, Mass. – The Bentley volleyball team makes its 2023 home debut when it hosts the Sandy Hoffman Memorial Tournament, Sept. 7-8, in the Dana Center.

Honoring Hoffman

A 2014 selection for the American Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, Sandy Hoffman served as Bentley's head volleyball coach from 1982-2013. She lost a long battle with cancer on August 31, 2015. Hoffman amassed 758 career victories, seventh most all-time in NCAA D-II women's volleyball history, with her record standing at 758-366. She was inducted into the Bentley Athletic Hall of Fame in September 2015 and the Northeast-10 Conference Hall of Fame in June 2016. Her Bentley teams won nine regular-season conference titles outright, and she led the Falcons to 11 national tournament appearances.

Walking on sunshine

Bentley began the 2023 season with two wins and two losses in the Sharks Invitational hosted by Nova Southeastern in Davie, Florida. The Falcons opened the weekend trip with three-set wins over Dominican (N.Y.) and Seton Hall (Sept. 1), but then lost a couple of four-set matches against Eckerd and Nova Southeastern the following day. The latter two teams are receiving votes in the most recent AVCA national poll.

Aces up the sleeve

Bentley put away 18 service aces in the season-opening win against Dominican (Sept. 1). It was the program's most aces in a match since 2005. Natalie Thom had eight services, and Ingrid Murphy finished with six.

One-two punch

Bentley's returning All-NE10 First Team honorees picked up right where they left off. Ellie Wheeler has 39 kills while hitting .252 through the first four matches of the season, and Ingrid Murphy has 35 kills with a .204 attack percentage.

Hallas of fame

Freshman Lauren Hallas is already making a name for herself, having appeared in all 14 sets so far this season. The setter has double-digits assists in all four matches, including a season-best 18 against Eckerd (Sept. 2).

The guests

Bentley welcomes Tampa, New Haven, and American International College to Waltham this weekend. Tampa is currently ranked No. 4 in the AVCA D-II national poll. The Spartans are 3-0 this season, having lost only one set. New Haven holds a 3-1 record, and AIC is 1-3.