Rowan women’s volleyball swept both Catholic University of America and Lebanon Valley College on Saturday at Esbjornson Gymnasium in their first home appearance of the season. They started out the year with seven matches on the road, going 5-2 during that time.

“Everybody likes to play at home in front of people that they love,” Head coach Deana Jespersen said. “We’ve been on the road so much and to be in your own gym, it’s comfortable.”

The Profs faced Catholic Cardinals first at 11 a.m, but this isn’t the time the two teams have faced In the last 13 matches played against the Catholic, Rowan has a 3-10 record.

Rowan came in swinging as freshman middle hitter Jessica Smart started the series off with a powerful kill. Through the next two sets, her and her teammates kept that momentum going. The first set was a dominant one for Rowan, with aggressive swings from their offense and a reliable defense, the Profs dominated the Cardinals 25-15 in the first set. 

Starting the second set down by four, Smart started swinging, putting the first point on the board. The Profs were down 19-22 when the strong defense and powerful offense came through. After a few long rallies, Smart ended the game just how she started it, with an aggressive kill. The Profs finished the second set 28-26.  

Rowan wasn’t done yet. The team started the game down by five, but was quick to get ahead of the Cardinals. The team finished the third set 25-15, giving the Profs a sweep in their first match of the day.

After a match between Catholic and Lebanon Valley, the Profs were ready to take their second match of the day against the Flying Dutchmen (2-5). 

The match started with an aggressive swing by Smart. With multiple blocks, precise serving,  and an intense diving play by the sophomore, Hutton Cordrey, the Profs got off to an early lead. A serving error Lyla Arfanella of the Flying Dutchman gave the Profs a, 25-12, win in the first set.

Rowan down 13-11 in the second set, but that didn’t stop Abby Chadwick and Ciara Bradley. Chadwick made a one-armed diving dig, followed by an intense kill by Bradley giving the point back to the Profs. The team ended the second set with an ace by Hutton Cordrey, giving them a 25-18 win.

The Profs finished the third set with a 25-10 win, giving the team a clean sweep. 

The Cardinals and Flying Dutchmen may have brought their strongest players to play in the double header match, but so did the Profs. Jena Kaul, the senior outside hitter, rallied 14 kills in the match against the Cardinals, but did not appear in the second match of the day as she experienced pain with a long term achilles injury.

A fresh face made a name for herself on the court for the first time at home. Smart stood out in her first at home appearance. In the match against the Cardinals, she totaled 12 kills, followed by six in the match against the Flying Dutchmen. 

“There’s definitely a little bit of pressure in the beginning, but now a couple games in, I don’t feel any pressure,” Smart said.  “I’m just having fun playing the game I love and with the people I love.”

Hutton Cordrey, the sophomore outside hitter, made multiple powerful plays throughout the series. Cordrey has 27 kills so far this season.

On the defensive end, senior Vanessa Hutchinson showed her opponents what she’s made of. The libero led the team with 24 digs totaled for the matches on Saturday.

“I’m just hoping just to bring a lot of energy and just to have a good time,” Cordrey said.  

The pair of wins for Rowan on Saturday marks a seven-match win streak. Their next matchup will have them on the road once again, facing Union College on Fri., Sept 19 in Scranton Pa. 

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