NEWARK, Del. – The Jefferson (Philadelphia University + Thomas Jefferson University) volleyball team (1-2) earned its first victory of the 2019 season on Friday night, splitting a pair of matches on the first day of the Wildcat Regional Invitational at Wilmington University.

The Rams dropped their first contest of the day, 3-2 to Adelphi but rallied to win the nightcap over Franklin Pierce, 3-2.

GAME ONE – L, 3-2 vs. Adelphi
Jefferson started the match strong, taking the first two sets 25-17 and 25-23. In the second set, the Rams were down 23-21 but came back with four consecutive points to take the frame.

Adelphi showed resiliency, however, as the Northeast-10 Conference favorite stormed back to win the next two sets, 25-18 and 25-19. The Panthers used a 7-0 run in the fourth set to take control and force a decisive fifth set.

In the final set, the Rams started hot, taking a 4-0 lead, and later were ahead 7-2. Adelphi recovered and was able to tie the score at nine apiece. Jefferson pulled out in front again, 13-11 but the Panthers recorded the final four points to take the match.

GAME TWO – W, 3-2 vs. Franklin Pierce
The Rams had another fast start, taking an early 4-0 advantage. Down 5-1, Franklin Pierce rallied for seven points in a row to take the lead. With the score tied at 13, Jefferson used a 10-2 stretch to take control of the set en route to a 25-18 win.

After the Ravens grabbed a 25-21 decision in set two, the teams went back and forth throughout the third set. With the score even at 22, a service error and two Franklin Pierce aces gave the Ravens the match lead with a 25-22 victory.

In the fourth set, Jefferson trailed by five (19-14) but came back to tie the score at 19. Down once again at 23-22, the Rams picked up two kills and benefitted from an attack error to win the frame, 25-23 and force a fifth set.

In the decisive stanza, the teams were level at five. Jefferson went on a 4-0 run to take the lead. Franklin Pierce was able to close the gap to one (10-9) but the Rams pulled away and took the match with a 15-12 triumph.

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
- Junior Lauren Kloos registered a team-high 33 kills on the day and added 23 digs and five blocks.
- Junior Abigail Kress totaled 21 kills while senior Amber Johnson tallied 17. Johnson also had five blocks.
- Junior Logan Dontell contributed with 12 kills and nine blocks.
- Sophomore Molly Hand amassed 78 assists, 14 digs and six service aces.
- Senior Alexis Leddy collected 47 digs over the two matches.

NOTES
- Senior Mariah Cadzow reached 700 career digs and now sits at 710.
- Johnson surpassed the 400-kill plateau and now has 414 for her career.
- Kress's last block of the day was her 100^th as a Ram.

NEXT UP
Jefferson concludes the tournament with a pair of matches on Saturday. The Rams face American International at 12 p.m. followed by Le Moyne at 2 p.m.