ASTON, Pa. – The Neumann University volleyball team split a pair of matches on Saturday as it hosted the 2012 Knights Invitational. The Knights finished the weekend 3-1 overall.

In the first match of the day, Neumann and Rutgers-Camden battled on the court. The Raptors won the first two sets 25-20 and 25-21. The Knights didn't let up and took sets three and four, 25-17 and 25-19. Rutgers-Camden won the deciding set five 15-8.

Katelin Kuklentz led the offense with 14 kills. Natalie George notched 12 while Kelsey D'Imperio notched nine. Cecily Scavicchio handed out 26 assists while Ashley Clark dished out 16. George also added three service aces.

On the defensive side, Victoria Limmina notched 34 digs while Danielle Kwapisz 32. 30+ digs in a match is a rare feat, so having two players reach is a good defensive game.

Kuklentz added 24 digs. Elaina Shooster had 14 and Scavicchio rounded out the double-digit digs with 12. D'Imperio was jumping high and had one solo block and four block assists en route to the team's 12 blocks.

In the second match, the Knights defeated Pitt-Bradford in straight sets 3-0. Neumann won the first set with ease 25-14 and the second set 25-20. The third set proved to be more difficult as Pitt-Bradford took a 17-10 lead after the first rotation. Danielle Kwapisz then served nine straight points to bring the Knights back and take the lead, 20-17. The Panthers did not go quietly and the Knights had to fight for the last five points to win the match, but they hung on for the 25-22 win.

D'Imperio and Kuklentz continued their great offensive play with 10 kills each. Scavicchio aided with 21 assists while Clark added 12.

Limmina led the defensive attack with 18 digs. Kwapisz had nine digs while adding three service aces. Kuklentz and D'Imperio had a presence at the net and notched three block assists each.

“It was great to play so well in front of our home crowd this weekend,” said head coach Deana Jespersen. “The girls played consistent volleyball and played very well. This weekend was a lot of fun.”

 
Kelsey D'Imperio and Katelin Kuklentz were named to the All-Tournament Team.

Neumann (6-6) will travel to Eastern on Friday evening for a non-conference match beginning at 7:00 PM.