SWARTHMORE, Pa.–Thirteen service aces and six blocks helped propel the Swarthmore College volleyball team to a sweep of Oneonta in the opening match of the Swarthmore Quad Tournament on Friday, Sep. 29.

The Garnet edged the visiting Red Dragons by a 25-21, 25-19, 26-24 overall score. Elise Cummings provided four aces off the bench while Mehra den Braven and Sarah Girard added three apiece. Den Braven led all players with 15 kills and Sarah Wallace had a double-double with 10 kills and 12 digs. Girard also recorded 12 digs and Guin Mesh was close behind with 10. Malia Scott directed the offense with 36 assists and Emma Morgan-Bennett was a force in the middle with three blocks.

Swarthmore triumphed behind den Braven's eight kills in the first set, which featured nine ties and four lead changes. A 5-0 run by the Dragons forced a Garnet timeout and Swarthmore pulled back for an 18-18 deadlock. With Mesh serving, Swarthmore took the next five points to break the set open before Wallace sealed the frame with a kill.

The Garnet offense sputtered a bit in the second, but made up for the shortcoming with six aces and three blocks. Both teams traded runs in the early goings and Swarthmore had the most significant streak, an 8-0 tear that put it ahead 20-16. Oneonta saved a set point, but could not claw back and fell behind 2-0.

The Red Dragons put on a strong offensive showing in the final frame and led for part of the set. Cummings steadied the Garnet with three aces. At 22-21 in favor of Swarthmore, the hosts called a timeout and earned match point opportunities behind kills from den Braven and Wallace. The Dragons battled back and tied things up at 24 apiece, threatening to push the match to a fourth set. Swarthmore regained its composure and completed the sweep as Scott and Wallace buried kills.

The volleyball team continues Quad Tournament play at home with a match against Widener at 10 a.m. and a 4 p.m. meeting with Cabrini.