• Box Score

CALIFORNIA (Nov. 20) – The No. 17 Vulcans advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament and the semifinals of the NCAA Atlantic Regional Tournament with a 3-0 victory (25-15, 25-13, 25-7) over Elizabeth City State University (N.C.) on Thursday at Hamer Hall.

With the win, the top-seeded California University of Pennsylvania volleyball team improved its record to 38-1 overall. Meanwhile, Elizabeth City State finished the season with a 31-10 mark and entered the tournament as the eighth seed after winning the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Championship.

In the victory, junior libero Marta Hodge (Fayetteville, Pa./Chambersburg) set a school record with 1,829 career digs, breaking the previous mark of 1,821 set by Katie Barker (2002-05). Hodge, who was named All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division Second Team earlier this week, registered a match-high 13 digs against the Vikings.

Junior middle hitter Ludmila Amaral (Sao Paulo, Brazil/Afonso Schimidt), the PSAC West Athlete of the Year, posted a match-high 15 digs on 23 attacks for a .522 hitting percentage. She also collected four blocks (two solo), three assists, three digs and two service aces in the opening-round match of the NCAA Tournament.

Freshman Bridget Bielich (Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park) and junior Joanna Nist (Rockwood, Pa./Rockwood) finished with nine and eight kills, respectively.

In addition to Hodge defensively, senior defensive specialist Mallory DeMarco (Cranberry Twp., Pa./Seneca Valley) and junior setter Renata Silva (Sao Paulo, Brazil/Colegio Ateneu) each added eight digs. Silva directed the offense with 32 assists, along with five kills, three assists and two service aces.

The Vulcans continue play in the NCAA Tournament tomorrow, Friday, Nov. 21, when they face fourth-seeded Lock Haven University for a 7:30 p.m. match. Cal U won the previous two meetings against the Bald Eagles, including a 3-0 victory in last weekend's PSAC Championship Tournament.