Phoenixville, PA – The University of Valley Forge Women's Volleyball team took a quick trip to Doylestown, Pennsylvania to face the Aggies of Delaware Valley University. For the second time this season, the Patriots took it to four sets, but losing 1-3 (21-25, 20-25, 25-19, 16-25).  

The start of the match seemed promising as the Patriots and Aggies would trade points finding themselves tied 7-7. Valley Forge was able to get hot at the net with kills from Kaitlyn Hess, and Mariah Straker, breaking the tie and setting the score to 12-8. However, with six errors from the Patriots, an ace, and two kills, the Aggies claimed the lead 17-12. Valley Forge was able to fight off a few match points, but could not grasp the lead, falling in the first 21-25.   

Kaitlyn Hess started at the service line for the Patriots in the second set, rallying three service aces before the Aggies would strike back with a kill for a 3-1 score. Delaware Valley generated five consecutive points with three Patriot attacking errors to take a 8-6 lead. The Aggies continued to dominate control and with 16 kills as team, they clinched the second with a 25-20 benefit over the Patriots.

Valley Forge rebounded in the third set starting off strong with a 5-0 lead with three service aces from Kaitlyn Hess and two Aggie attacking errors. The Patriots would find their rhythm at the net with kills from Melanie-Ann Torres, Mariah Straker, and Kimberly Ramcharitar, extending the score 8-1. Valley Forge was able to frazzle the Aggies and gained a 15-6 advantage before Delaware Valley would call a timeout. The Aggies attempted to match the Patriots at the net gathering four kills to ignite a run, but Valley Forge would put out the fire with a kill from Giana Brown and take the set 25-19.

The Aggies looked to seek revenge as they captured a quick 3-0 lead. They would remain in sync and increase the lead 13-5. Valley Forge came together and collected 10 points sparked by a couple of kills from Melanie-Ann Torres, and Kaitlyn Hess to cut the lead 15-13. However with another Aggies timeout, they would re-gain focus to close out the match 25-16.

The Patriots ended the match hitting .015 with 23 kills and two blocks. Led by Delaware Valley's Krista Hiller with 12 kills, the Aggies hit .119 as a team collecting 49 kills and two blocks.

Defensively, freshman Melanie-Ann Torres lead the Patriots in digs with a career high 19, followed by Kaitlyn Hess (18), and Jasmine Vargas also hitting a career high of 17.

"It was a tough fight," head coach Jessica Rink stated. "We were able to make some really solid runs, but unfortunately couldn't come out on top; I am hoping we can improve the rest of this week to be ready to play on Sunday."

Valley Forge will conclude their week in Bronxville, NY with their second tri-match of the season, competing against Sarah Lawrence College and The King's College (NY).