The St. Mary’s College of Maryland women’s volleyball team began its 2025 campaign with a split at the Greensboro Tri-Match on August 30 at Hanes Gymnasium. The Seahawks fell 3-0 to host Greensboro College in the morning before rebounding with a 3-0 sweep of Warren Wilson College in the afternoon, starting the season at 1-1.
In the opener against Greensboro, St. Mary’s competed closely but dropped sets 25-16, 25-23 and 25-15. Junior outside hitter Hope Parrish led the offense with 11 kills on a .435 hitting percentage. Sophomore outside hitter Maya Mauro contributed nine kills and 12 digs, while freshman outside hitter Erianna Mendieta added five kills and five digs. Junior setter Camilla Galeano distributed 14 assists and collected eight digs, and sophomore defensive specialist Stella Marrero anchored the defense with 14 digs. As a team, the Seahawks hit .091 with 33 kills and 21 errors on 132 attempts, recording five blocks but no aces. Greensboro, which swept both its matches that day, hit .152 with 35 kills and 15 errors, adding eight aces and four blocks to secure the victory.
The Seahawks turned things around against Warren Wilson, winning 25-19, 25-23 and 25-16. Mauro and Mendieta each tallied six kills, with sophomore middle blocker Faith Shockley and freshman pin/middle blocker Vlada Costenco adding four kills apiece. Junior setter Lauren Panageotou provided 12 assists and two aces, while Galeano contributed 10 assists and two aces. Mendieta led defensively with 15 digs, and sophomore defensive specialist Elizabeth Childs recorded 11 digs. St. Mary’s hit .149 as a team with 34 kills and 19 errors on 101 attempts, serving 10 aces and limiting the Owls to a .000 hitting percentage on 21 kills and 21 errors. Warren Wilson managed three blocks but only five aces in the loss.
Parrish, a 5-foot-9 junior from Newport News, Virginia, who attended Denbigh Baptist Christian School, has been a consistent performer for St. Mary’s since joining the program. Mauro, a 5-foot-10 sophomore from Severna Park, Maryland, and Archbishop Spalding High School, brings versatility to the outside position. Mendieta, a 5-foot-7 freshman from Toano, Virginia, and Warhill High School, made an immediate impact in her collegiate debut. Galeano, a 5-foot-4 junior from Germantown, Maryland, and Damascus High School, serves as a key playmaker. Marrero, a 5-foot-7 sophomore from Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, and Christian Life School, specializes in back-row defense. Shockley, a 5-foot-10 sophomore from Huntingtown, Maryland, and Huntingtown High School, adds height in the middle. Costenco, a 5-foot-11 freshman from Olney, Maryland, and Sherwood High School, provides blocking presence. Panageotou, a 5-foot-10 junior from Baltimore, Maryland, and Mercy High School, shares setting duties. Childs, a 5-foot-2 sophomore from Great Mills, Maryland, and Leonardtown High School, bolsters the libero role. Several players hail from Maryland, including areas like Huntingtown and Great Mills in Southern Maryland, reflecting the program’s local recruiting ties.
St. Mary’s competes in the United East Conference, where it has established a competitive presence in recent years. In 2024, the Seahawks advanced to the conference semifinals, defeating No. 3 seed but falling 3-0 to No. 2 Lancaster Bible College. The program has a history of strong performances, including multiple appearances in conference tournaments since joining the United East. The 2025 schedule includes 26 matches, with non-conference challenges like the Greensboro Tri-Match providing early tests against teams from the USA South Athletic Conference and independent Warren Wilson. Greensboro, based in North Carolina, started its season 2-0 with wins over St. Mary’s and Warren Wilson, showcasing a balanced attack. Warren Wilson, located in Asheville, North Carolina, competes at the NCAA Division III level without conference affiliation, focusing on sustainability and community in its athletics.
The tri-match marked the first meeting between St. Mary’s and Greensboro, with the Pride holding a 1-0 series lead. Against Warren Wilson, it was also an inaugural matchup, giving the Seahawks a 1-0 edge. These games highlight St. Mary’s efforts to build experience against diverse opponents early in the season.
St. Mary’s athletics emphasize academic and athletic balance, with the volleyball team maintaining a roster of 18 players under head coach Jen Sansbury, who enters her third season.
Looking ahead, St. Mary’s travels to the Washington and Lee Invitational on September 5, facing Southern Virginia University at 4 p.m. in Lexington, Virginia. Additional matches at the invitational include games against Washington and Lee on September 6 at 11 a.m. and Eastern Mennonite at 3 p.m. The Seahawks then host Christopher Newport on September 9 at 7 p.m. in the Michael P. O’Brien Athletics and Recreation Center Arena. Conference play begins September 20 against Penn State Berks.
This opening split provides a foundation for St. Mary’s as it aims to contend in the United East, building on last year’s postseason run. The team’s defensive resilience, evident in 25 digs against Greensboro and 47 points against Warren Wilson, could key future success.
