NEW CASTLE, Del. (Nov. 4, 2026) – The Thomas Jefferson University volleyball team returned to the win column Wednesday, outlasting Wilmington University in five sets on the road to secure the season sweep of the Wildcats and a first-round home tilt in the CACC Playoffs.
Junior Liz Tanis (Abington, Pa. / Abington) led Jefferson with a career-high 21 kills, a .390 hitting percentage and four block assists. The third-year standout played the best game of her career to date, battering her previous career-high mark of 16 kills set just last week. Tanis now has 16, 14, and 21 kills in consecutive matches and now finds herself playing the best volleyball of her career at a time where the Rams will need all the contributions they can get as they recalibrate toward the CACC Playoffs.
Junior Pemi Areola (Kingwood, Texas / Kingwood) added 13 kills and four block assists, while junior Alexa Mork (West Chester, Pa. / West Chester East / Towson University) delivered a double-double with 10 kills and 18 digs, along with three service aces. Jefferson hit .303 in its 25-19 opening-set victory and answered a 23-25 second-set loss with a comeback in the third. Trailing 17-22, the Rams rallied and fought off three set points before Tanis and Mork combined on the block that secured a 28-26 win. Coming out of a fourth set where they came up short, Jefferson saved a match point at 15-16 and claimed the final three points of the deciding frame. Sophomore Gabby Titus (Williamstown, N.J. / Williamstown) dished out an ace for a 17-16 lead before senior Emily McKenna (Drexel Hill, Pa. / Sacred Heart Academy) delivered the winning blow.
Freshman setter Lyllah Sapp (Bakersfield, Calif. / Frontier) recorded 49 assists and 14 digs. Sophomore libero Kate Hines (Newark, Del. / Delaware Military Academy) anchored Jefferson's 103-dig effort with 30, adding nine assists. McKenna also remained heavily involved defensively with 19 digs, setting a new season-high in the process.
Head Coach Eric Schaefer and the Rams close the regular season Saturday, Nov. 7, with one final CACC regular season tilt at Goldey-Beacom College set for a noon start time. After that, the Rams will host their CACC Tournament first round matchup against an opponent to be named later this weekend.
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