Box Score

SWARTHMORE, Pa. - For the first time since 1989, the Swarthmore College volleyball team defeated Franklin & Marshall College. The Garnet victory over the Diplomats, also a first in Centennial Conference history, was recorded in straight sets with scores of 25-15, 25-21 and 25-22 from Tarble Pavilion on Wednesday evening. The victory is just the fifth for Swarthmore in the series history as F&M came into the match with a 38-4 record against the Garnet. 

Junior Madison Heppe (12 digs)  and freshman Malia Scott (10 digs) anchored the defense for Swarthmore (8-4, 1-0 CC), while senior Chastity Hopkins put down 10 kills and junior Sam DuBois set the offense with 32 assists. At the net, the freshmen dominated - Alice Liu came down with two solo blocks and three assists, while Sarah Wallace handled four assists. 

F&M (9-7, 0-2 CC) were led by Julie Harvey with 13 kills and Parys Zambas with 13 digs. Caroline Hubbard set 28 assists and Jaclyn Laforgia finished with 11 digs and two block assists. 

The first set opened in Swarthmore's favor with kills from Hopkins and freshman Bridget Scott and a service ace from DuBois to lead 3-0. The Diplomats battled back quickly and found the equalizer on a kill from Ellie Ezekiel for a 7-all score. The teams would tie twice more before Swarthmore pulled away. The set finished on an 11-point run for the Garnet as Malia Scott rattled the Dips defense during her service. 

Swarthmore continued rolling into the next set, opening on a 8-3 run to force a F&M timeout. The switch in momentum worked as a few Garnet miscues and kills from Cassie Garison brought the Diplomats even at 11. A few points later, Julie Harvey swung three straight kills to give the visitors the lead for the first time. Kills from Scott and Wallace would give Swarthmore the lead as the Garnet closed out the second set on a 5-0 run. 

Down 0-2 in the match, the Diplomats opened the third set on a 4-0 run and would take a 7-3 lead before Swarthmore found a groove. Once again, Malia Scott dominated service to lead a 7-0 run for Swarthmore to take a 10-7 lead. The teams went point-for-point in the middle of the set, including a couple lead changes. Tied at 21, kills from Hopkins and freshman Olivia Leventhal paved the way for a third and decisive set victory. 

Swarthmore continues conference play on the road this Saturday at Dickinson College. The first set begins at 1:00 p.m.