YORK, Pa. - The Spartan women's volleyball team claimed their first Commonwealth victory of the season in a 3-1 decision at home on Tuesday night against Alvernia.
 
Team Records
Alvernia 6-9 (0-4 MACC)
York 7-10 (1-3 MACC)
 
How It Happened
York took the first set 25-17 ending the set on a 12-4 run. The Spartans hit a strong .286 as a team, powered by Saniya Esters with five kills, hitting .625 and Liz Kerin with four kills and a .250 hitting percentage. Esters and Kerin also anchored the front line with a pair of big blocks that shifted momentum midway through the set.
 
The Spartans stormed out to an 8-3 lead to begin the second set, but Alvernia battled back with an 8-1 run to take control at 11-9, forcing a York timeout. The set turned into a back-and-forth match featuring key plays from both sides as York pulled within one late but, Alvernia's Allison Wolf, who tallied six kills in the set, delivered two straight kills to close out the set with a 27-25 win.
 
York bounced back to win third set, 25-20. Alvernia made a late surge as the Spartans led 20-12. York managed to hold off the Wolves with a set clinching kill by Morgan
Nolte which was one of her four kills in the frame. Maddie Hoffman also shined as she racked up 10 assists, while the Spartans had 11 total kills with .207 attack percentage.
 
York dominated the fourth set from the first serve, jumping to a 4-1 lead and never looked back while holding Alvernia to just .026 attack percentage. The Wolves made a late push going on 11-4 run, but yet again the Spartans held them off to secure their first Commonwealth victory this season.
 
Wolf led all players with 19 kills on the night, while hitting .227. Melina Stinsky led all players with 17 digs.
 
For the Spartans, Esters led the way with 12 kills, while Kerin and Nolte racked up 11 each. Hoffman dished out a season-high 40 assists which led all players.
 
Up Next
The Spartans are back on the road Saturday for a non-conference tri-match at Lebanon Valley.