WALTHAM, Mass.  – The number 13 doesn't have to be unlucky. The Bentley volleyball team carries a 12-match winning streak into a couple of Northeast-10  contests at home this weekend. The Falcons host Southern Connecticut Friday, Oct. 20, at 6 p.m. The following day, Bentley hosts American International at 1 p.m.

Inside the streak

The Falcons have 12 wins in their last 12 outings, including five consecutive 3-0 victories. Bentley is in the midst of its longest winning streak since the 2019 season (16 games).

Goin' up on a Tuesday

Bentley topped Mercy, 3-0, at home earlier this week (Oct. 17). Ellie Wheeler had a game-high nine kills, and Bentley limited the Mavericks to just a .065 hitting percentage.

Ace among aces

Bentley leads all of NCAA D-II in aces per set (2.79). Jazzy Burke (0.58) and Natalie Thom (0.52) rank fifth and eighth, respectively, in the NE10 for aces per set.

Blinn on the block

Elizabeth Blinn is averaging 1.30 blocks per set – a mark that ranks second in the conference and ninth in the nation.

Around the conference

New Haven (12-7, 5-0 NE10) and Bentley (16-3, 4-0 NE10) sit atop the NE10 Standings, while American International (10-7, 4-1 NE10) and Adelphi (14-5, 3-1) aren't far behind.

Scouting Southern Connecticut (11-11, 1-4 NE10)

The Owls enter the weekend with four losses in their last five matches – all four losses were by a 3-0 final. The one win during that stretch was against Assumption (Oct. 6). Southern Connecticut averages the second-fewest points per set (14.4) in the NE10. Sara Enright has the fifth-most kills in the NE10 (186), and she ranks second for aces per set (0.60).

Scouting American International (10-7, 4-1 NE10)

The Yellow Jackets have two of the three best hitters in the NE10. Aleksandra Ivanovic leads the conference with a .476 hitting percentage, and Amber Williams ranks third with a .408 mark. As a team, AIC's .206 hitting percentage ranks third in the conference. AIC has won five of its last six contests, and nine of its last 11. Bentley beat the Yellow Jackets in three sets during the Sandy Hoffman Memorial Tournament (Sept. 8)