ASTON, Pa. – The Neumann University Women's Volleyball defeated Marywood University in the Atlantic East Conference semifinals by a final count of 3-0 on Wednesday night. They won by set scores of 25-15, 25-9, and 25-8.
 
Neumann got off to a hot start as they took the first five points of the match to force an early Marywood timeout. The break got the Pacers started although the Knights were able to trade points until Marywood scored four of five points to make it a 12-9 deficit. Neumann went on a 5-1 run but Marywood responded with a quick 3-0 stretch to pull back within four. With the score at 18-14, the Knights closed to set winning seven of the next eight points.
 
The second set was more of the same with Neumann starting on a 6-1 run. A later 8-point jaunt extended the lead to 16-3. A 7-1 run push made it 23-6, giving the Knights a 2-0 set lead. Marywood got the first point of the third but it was their only lead of the match as Neumann went on a 7-3 run to take control for good. They closed out the set by scoring 18 of the last 22 points.
 
Nayeli Cruz led the Knights with eight kills. Bri Gautier had seven kills and Julia Solomon had six. Dani Smith had 34 assists and five service aces. She is two aces away from the Neumann program career record. Hannah Strohm had 12 digs to bolster the defense.
 
Neumann (13-18) will now head to Marymount University for the Atlantic East Championship match on Saturday.