WALTHAM, Mass. – The Bentley volleyball returns to the Dana Center Thursday, Sept. 21, to host Franklin Pierce for a non-conference game at 7 p.m. Two days later, the Falcons host Southern New Hampshire at 2 p.m. (Sept. 23), which is also non-conference.

Road warriors

The Falcons have had just three home matches (Sandy Hoffman Memorial Tournament) through the first 10 contests of the season. Still, Bentley is 5-2 away from the Dana Center. The Falcons recently won all three of their matches during the International Volleyball Hall of Fame (IVHOF) East Region Clash (Sept. 15-16).

MVP! MVP! MVP!

Rachel Vitko was named the MVP of the IVHOF East Region Clash, and she also earned NE10 Player of the Week. The junior from Dover, N.H. totaled 37 kills, and she hit over .400 in two of the three contests.

Back in the driver's seat

Graduate student and 2022 NE10 All-First Team selection Ingrid Murphy is leading Bentley's offense so far this season. She enters the weekend with a team-high 91 kills. Murphy is one of only five NE10 players with 90+ kills and a .200+ attack percentage.

Fee-fi-fo-Thom

Senior Natalie Thom has been a giant in setting up Bentley's offense – her 25 service aces are tied for third in the conference.

All she does is Blinn Blinn Blinn no matter what

Sophomore Elizabeth Blinn ranks second in the NE10 for total blocks with 45. Her season-high mark is seven, which she has achieved twice (vs. Eckerd; vs. New Haven).

Scouting Franklin Pierce (5-2)

The Ravens have two opponents in common with Bentley: Dominican (N.Y.) and Molloy. Whereas Bentley swept both of those teams, Franklin Pierce won each match in four sets. Martina Spackova leads the NE10 in blocks per set (1.67), and Morgan Schmutzler is tops in the conference for digs per set (6.38). Franklin Pierce leads the N10 in blocks per set (2.71). However, the Ravens' offense second-to-last in kills per set (10.83).

Scouting Southern New Hampshire (5-4)

The Penmen have been tested by a couple of top-10 nationally-ranked teams (St. Cloud State, Minnesota-Duluth), thought Southern New Hampshire managed just one set win (vs. Minnesota Duluth) between those two contests. Ana Pimenta ranks third the NE10 for kills per set (3.48). although the team is among the bottom three in the category (10.90).