ARLINGTON, Va.— For the first time in program history, the Marymount (Va.) University women's volleyball team conquered a nationally-ranked opponent, handing No. 12 University of Mary Washington its first Capital Athletic Conference defeat of the season on Wednesday night, 3-1 (25-22, 20-25, 25-22, 25-23), in the Verizon Sports Arena. 

The first set proved to be a battle from the get go, seeing multiple lead changes and ties throughout the set. The Saints were able to gain their first lead at 6-5 following a kill from junior Margaret McAlpin. However, both squads traded points for the remainder of the set, until the Saints pieced together a 3-0 run, ignited by a kill from senior Emileigh Rettig, to end the set on top, 25-22.

The Eagles were able to strike first in set two, but the Saints quickly answered and built a 5-3 lead. The momentum continued to sway back-and-forth as the match progressed, until the Saints began to trail midway through the set, forcing Head Coach Beth Ann Wilson to use a timeout after falling behind by four, 16-12. Marymount came out of the timeout and brought the set back within two to force Mary Washington to also use a timeout at 19-17, but the last-ditch effort by the Saints was not enough, falling short, 25-20.  

MU rallied in set three to take a commanding 10-5 lead before UMW was forced to burn a timeout early on. Sophomore Caroline Hanson fed sophomore Ashton Walker to spark the 5-0 run and McAlpin and Hanson each added a kill and Rettig registered an ace to continue the stretch. Following the timeout, the Eagles battled their way back into the set taking back the lead at 14-13. The set remained close until the Saints prevailed in the end following back-to-back kills by senior Mallory Mitchell and sophomore Emily Abramaitys, 25-22.

The Saints started set four in a similar fashion, taking an 11-5 lead. MU held onto its lead through much of the set until UMW came back within one at 19-18, forcing a timeout by Marymount. The Eagles gained a one-point advantage near the end, but the Saints kept their composure and outlasted the Eagles to win set four, 25-23, and seal up the program's first top-25 victory. 

Rettig led the team on the offensive end, picking up a match-high 18 kills, and on the defensive end, tied for a team-high 16 digs. Hanson and junior Christine Tieman split time in the setter position to notch 27 and 20 assists, respectively. On the defensive end, freshman libero Theresa Buscemi scooped up 16 digs and senior Cailyn Thomas notched five blocks, two of which were solo.

The women will host a tri-match on Saturday, October 29 to wrap up the regular season, hosting No. 20 Christopher Newport University and Messiah College in the Verizon Sports Arena. The Saints will open with the Captains in a conference tilt at 1 p.m., before taking on the Falcons later in the day at 5 p.m. Prior to the start of the final match, Marymount will recognize its senior class consisting of Mitchell, Rettig and Thomas.