Montclair State University Athletics

Hoboken, NJ – The Montclair State University volleyball team (22-9) concluded its 2026 regular season with a split at a Saturday tri-match hosted by Stevens. The Red Hawks downed in a 3-1 loss to No. 25 Stevens (24-3) before taking care of Union College (18-11) in a 3-0 sweep to close out the day.

VS. STEVENS
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Stevens came out strong in the opening set, building an early 8-2 advantage before eventually extending its lead to 16-7. Montclair began to chip away at the deficit, using kills from SOFIA DIPROFIO, BREANNA CRAIG, and BRYN BAUTISTA to eventually cut the margin to 21-16. Trailing 23-18, the Red Hawks rattled off three consecutive points to bring themselves within two. A kill from Bautista and a combined block from ISABELLE HAWKINSON and LILY THOMAS brought Montclair within one at 24-23, but the Ducks secured the final point to take the opening set, 25-23.
• The Ducks carried their momentum into the second set, building an early 8-5 advantage. Montclair continued to battle, with back-to-back kills from ERIN SAUNDERS evening the frame at 14-14. Stevens regained control and eventually held a 21-18 advantage, but the Red Hawks responded with five consecutive points, highlighted by kills from Bautista and DiProfio, to take a 23-22 lead. After Stevens evened the score, Bautista registered another kill before an attack error from the Ducks secured the 25-23 victory for Montclair.
• Both sides traded points early in the third set, with three kills from Craig helping Montclair battle to a 6-6 deadlock. Stevens responded with a 6-1 run to establish a 12-7 advantage. The Red Hawks continued to fight, using kills from DiProfio and Bautista to eventually trim the deficit to 15-12. The Ducks maintained their advantage throughout the remainder of the frame, however, closing out a 25-18 victory to take a 2-1 lead in the match.
• Montclair came out strong in the fourth set, opening with a 4-1 advantage behind two kills from Craig. Stevens responded with a 7-2 stretch to take an 8-6 lead, but the Red Hawks battled back to even the frame at 8-8. The Ducks then used an 8-1 run to build a 16-9 advantage. Montclair attempted to mount another comeback, trimming the deficit to 20-15 and later 23-18, but Stevens secured the final two points to close out the match, 25-18.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• BREANNA CRAIG and BRYN BAUTISTA paced the Red Hawks with 12 kills apiece. Craig hit an efficient .588 and added three total blocks, while Bautista collected 11 digs.
• SOFIA DIPROFIO registered nine kills on a .409 hitting percentage, while ERIN SAUNDERS added seven kills and eight digs.
• LUCY CORNELIUS dished out a team-high 37 assists to go along with 10 digs, while ALEENA WHITEHEAD led the defensive effort with a match-high 26 digs.

VS. UNION COLLEGE
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Red Hawks and Garnet battled back and forth throughout the early stages of the opening set, with neither side able to establish significant separation. Union eventually built a 15-11 advantage, but Montclair responded with three consecutive points to cut the deficit to one. Back-to-back kills from DiProfio brought the frame even at 16-16 before Union reclaimed a 19-17 edge. A kill from Craig sparked a five-point surge for Montclair that included three service aces from LEAH ROBLES and another Craig kill to give the Red Hawks a 22-19 lead. A kill from Bautista set up set point before an attack error from Union sealed the 25-22 victory.
• Montclair carried the momentum into the second set, opening with three consecutive points behind two kills from Bautista. Union quickly answered, however, using a 9-1 run to take a 9-4 advantage. The Garnet continued to hold the lead throughout the middle of the frame, eventually extending their advantage to 17-11 and later 20-16. The Red Hawks refused to go away, responding with five consecutive points highlighted by two kills from KASEY TRZASKA, a service ace from Bautista, and a kill from RYLEE SHERMAN to take a 21-20 lead. Union battled back and eventually held set point at 24-23, but consecutive blocks from Craig and Cornelius flipped the advantage in Montclair's favor. Bautista then delivered the set-winning kill to secure the 26-24 victory.
• The third set featured another tightly contested start, with Montclair eventually using consecutive blocks from Craig and Cornelius to establish a 12-9 advantage. A kill from LILY THOMAS and another from DiProfio helped the Red Hawks build a 17-13 lead, but Union responded with six consecutive points to take a 19-17 advantage. Montclair answered with a kill from Trzaska before eventually evening the frame at 20-20. The Red Hawks then rattled off four straight points, highlighted by two additional kills from Trzaska and one from Craig, to reach match point. After Union extended the set with a point, Craig delivered the final kill to secure the 25-21 victory and complete the sweep.

FROM THE BOX SCORE

• BRYN BAUTISTA led the offensive effort with a match-high 17 kills and added 12 digs for a double-double, her 15^th of the season.
• KASEY TRZASKA tallied 11 kills and six digs, while BREANNA CRAIG added nine kills on a .316 hitting percentage and a match-high six total blocks.
• LUCY CORNELIUS registered a double-double with 35 assists and 12 digs while also contributing four total blocks. ALEENA WHITEHEAD led the Red Hawks with 14 digs and two service aces.
• LEAH ROBLES collected three service aces and nine digs, while ERIN SAUNDERS contributed 11 digs.
• Montclair finished with 48 kills, seven service aces, and nine total blocks while holding Union to a .133 hitting percentage.

FROM THE COURT

• Quote to be added.

UP NEXT

• Montclair State will turn its attention to the New Jersey Athletic Conference Tournament, where the Red Hawks will host William Paterson in the opening round on Tuesday, November 10. First serve is scheduled for 7:00 PM inside the Panzer Athletic Center.