WALTHAM, Mass. (December 4, 2025) – Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference at-large representatives Holy Family University and Post University earned upset victories during the first round of the 2025 NCAA Division II Women’s Volleyball Championship tournament on Thursday. The eight-team, single elimination East Regional is being hosted by Bentley University at the Dana Athletics Center.
East No. 7 seed Holy Family concluded Thursday’s day session by reversing a 2-0 deficit to capture a 3-2 victory over No. 2 seed Adelphi University. The night session began with top seed Bentley defeating CACC champion and No. 8 seed University of Bridgeport, 3-1. Post, the No. 5 seed, followed with a 3-1 win over No. 4 seed American International College.
The CACC placed three volleyball teams in the NCAA Tournament for the first time. Having two schools advance to the round of 32 is also a first for the conference.
The East Region semifinals will take place on Friday evening at Bentley. Holy Family will be matched up against No. 3 seed Mercy University at 4 p.m. Post will then take on the host Falcons at 7 p.m. Tournament information is available at Bentley’s East Region Championship webpage.
Friday’s winners will play in the regional championship match on Saturday at 6 p.m. in Waltham. The East Region champion will advance to the national quarterfinals on Dec. 11 in Sioux Falls, S.D.
No. 7 HOLY FAMILY 3, No. 2 ADELPHI 2
The Tigers’ rallies from early deficits in the first two sets fell short, but previewed a comeback for a 23-25, 22-25, 25-23, 25-22, 15-12 victory. The deciding set was tied, 9-9, before kills by Mackenzie Layton and Kaila Espenlaub and a Layton ace gave HFU the breathing room it needed. Layton (.439, nine digs) and Shelby Kinzer (.396, 10 digs) had 22 kills each for Holy Family. Mia Wise finished with 52 assists, 12 digs and four aces. The Tigers have won their first-round match in each of their four NCAA Tournament appearances.
No. 1 BENTLEY 3, No. 8 BRIDGEPORT 1
The Purple Knights took the first set before Bentley stormed back to win, 23-25, 25-11, 25-15, 25-16. The Falcons finished with 15 service aces. Hailey Jessen tallied 14 kills and 11 digs and Elaine DeLallo led all players with 20 digs for Bridgeport.
No. 5 POST, No. 4 AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL 1
The Eagles extended their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2016 with a 25-19, 21-25, 25-15, 25-19 victory. Post ran off 10 consecutive points to take control of Set 3 and used a 6-0 run late in Set 4 to help clinch the match. The Eagles had 14 service aces, including six from Alyssa Groves. Kristina Peric had 18 kills and 12 digs and Elyana Ortiz added 11 kills for Post.
Founded in 1961, the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference has been affiliated with NCAA Division II for 20 years. Conference institutions compete for championships in 17 sports – seven for men, nine for women, and one co-ed. The CACC contains 11 full members in Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Membership includes the University of Bridgeport, Caldwell University, Chestnut Hill College, Dominican University New York, Felician University, Georgian Court University, Goldey-Beacom College, Holy Family University, Post University, Thomas Jefferson University, and Wilmington University.