The Medgar Evers College women's volleyball team traveled to Scandlon Gymnasium on Saturday, Sept. 12, competing in a tri-match against SUNY Purchase and The King's College (Pa.). The Cougars dropped both contests, falling to the Panthers by scores of 6-25, 12-25, and 5-25, before losing to the host Monarchs in straight sets, by scores of 7-25, 6-25, and 4-25. The defeats dropped Medgar Evers to 0-4 on the 2026 campaign.
In the opening contest of the day against the Panthers, Shanya Aitcheson and Moutiatou Djibring each registered one kill, with Aitcheson adding two assists and one service ace. Djibring finished with two digs.
Maya Brown paced the Panthers with eight kills on 13 attacks (.538), while Gabby Vanterpool added five kills on six attempts for a .667 hitting percentage. Natalia Leite contributed three kills, eight assists, 12 service aces and six digs to finish with a match-high 15 points. Sadie Weiss added eight service aces, while Purchase also received a strong defensive effort from its back row.
Purchase controlled the match offensively, finishing with 20 kills on 36 attacks for a .444 hitting percentage, while also recording 18 assists, 30 service aces and 15 digs.
In the setback against King's College (PA), Djibring again led the way offensively for MEC, registering three kills on 13 attacks while adding a solo block, seven digs and four points. Williams contributed a service ace, while Aitcheson added an ace and two assists. As a team, the Cougars produced three kills, two assists, three service aces, one block and six digs.
King's finished the contest with 17 kills on 30 attacks for a .367 hitting percentage, while piling up 17 assists, 39 service aces and 20 digs. Emma Newman led the Monarchs with six kills on nine attacks (.444), while Lindsay Arezina was nearly flawless, converting four of five attacks for a .800 hitting percentage. Ryleigh Clouser added a team-high 10 service aces, while Paige Link recorded nine aces.
The two matches marked a challenging day for the Cougars, who continue to gain experience early in the 2026 campaign.
Medgar Evers will look to get into the win column on Tuesday evening, when the Cougars travel to York College Gymnasium to face the York College Cardinals in a non-conference clash. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m.
