Falcons to take on Tampa in Bentley's first-ever Elite-8 match
WALTHAM, Mass. – The Falcons have already made history, and they're not done, yet. The Bentley volleyball team will compete in the NCAA Elite 8 for the first time in program history when it takes on Tampa, Dec. 7, at 7:30 p.m. in the UPMC Events Center at Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh.
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Taking flight
Bentley claimed its first NCAA East Region title in school history when it beat Daemen in four sets this past Saturday (Dec. 2). The Falcons reached that championship match by defeating Southern New Hampshire and Mercy during the regional tournament. Adelphi hosted the regional tournament in Garden City, N.Y.
Terrific trio
Jazzy Burke, Ingrid Murphy, and Ellie Wheeler were named to the All-Regional Tournament Team. Burke totaled 64 digs in the three tournament matches, including a high of 25 against Southern New Hampshire (Nov. 30). Murphy amassed 43 kills during the tournament, with a high of 17 against SNHU. Wheeler posted at least 13 kills in each tournament match. She saved her best for last – 15 kills in the regional championship macth against Daemen (Dec. 2).
Dynamic duo
The Northeast-10 announced its All-NE10 recipients last week. Ingrid Murphy and Ellie Wheeler were both named to the All-NE10 First Team for the second consecutive year. It was the third consecutive All-NE10 First Team for Wheeler. Click HERE to read more about their selection.
The joy of Joey
Joey Pacis was named the Sandy Hoffman Northeast-10 Coach of the Year this season. It is his third-career NE10 Coach of the Year honor (2014, 2019). He led the Falcons to 21-5 regular season record this fall, with Bentley reaching a No. 1 ranking in the NCAA D-II East Region. Pacis succeeded the late Hoffman for Bentley in 2014. Hoffman was Bentley's head coach for 32 years, winning 758 matches during that span. She was inducted into the American Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2014. Hoffman passed away in Aug. 2015 after a long battle with cancer. The NE10 named its volleyball Coach of the Year award in her honor.
Historical context
Bentley reached the Sweet 16 for the second time in school history when it beat Mercy during the second round of the NCAA D-II Championship (Dec. 1). Bentley's previous Sweet 16 appearance was in 2005, when the Falcons lost to Dowling in five sets in Smithfield, R.I.
A rematch three months later
The Falcons and Tampa went head-to-head earlier this season during Bentley's Sandy Hoffman Memorial Tournament (Sept. 9). Tampa, which was ranked No. 4 in the country at the time, beat Bentley in four sets. Caitlin Wunder had a team-high 10 kills for the Falcons, and Jazzy Burke led the defensive efforts with 15 digs.