HAVERFORD, Pa. – The Marymount (Va.) University women's volleyball team hit the road for its first tournament of the season on Saturday afternoon, splitting the first two matches of the Haverford Invitational. Additionally, the day marked a career milestone for senior Emileigh Rettig, as she put down her 1,000 kill early on in the first match.

The Saints led off with an impressive victory over Delaware Valley University, 3-0 (25-9, 25-9, 26-24), but fell short to host Haverford College, 3-1 (23-25, 21-25, 25-19, 20-25). 

Marymount vs. Delaware Valley

The Saints dominated set one after an early jump on Delaware Valley, winning 25-9. Marymount was able to keep its momentum, matching set one's final in the second game, to take a comfortable 2-0 advantage.

The third set proved to be a tougher battle, forcing the set into extra points before the Saints were able to prevail on top, 26-24.

Rettig set the tone in the match after notching her 1000-career kill early on, and the Saints continued to feed on the energy. 

Marymount vs. Haverford

Junior Margaret McAlpin set the tone on offense, registering a match- and career-high 17 kills. The Saints continued to share the ball on offense seeing three other players post double-digit kills for Marymount in sophomore Caroline Hanson and seniors Cailyn Thomas and Rettig. Hanson and junior Christine Tieman connected well with the front line, adding 24 and 17 assists, respectively. Rettig put in work on the defensive end as well, tallying 14 digs.

MU took an early 3-0 lead in the opening set before the Black Squirrels were able to inch their way to get within one, 7-6. McAlpin answered with three-straight kills to take a four-point lead. In a last ditch effort, Haverford called a timeout while trailing 23-21, and was able to finish the set on a 4-0 run to win, 25-21.

Rettig struck first in set two for the 1-0 lead, but the set went point-for-point throughout, causing six ties and three lead changes. HU finished the set on top, 25-21.

The Saints jumped out quickly in the third set, pushing an early 4-1 advantage. MU continued to dominate throughout the set reaching its largest lead of seven, 19-12. Haverford called a timeout in an attempt to slow down Marymount's offense but the Saints weren't affected. McAlpin finished the set on a kill to win, 25-19.

Marymount trailed early in the fourth set before Hanson and Rettig pieced together a 3-0 run to tie the game at 9-9. Both teams continued to battle forcing two more ties and lead changes before the Saints fell short, 25-21.

The women will remain in Haverford, Pennsylvania to compete in day two of the Haverford Invitational. The Saints will take the court at 2 p.m., to take on Clark University followed by a match up against Arcadia University at 4 p.m.