ARNOLD, Md. — The College of Southern Maryland women’s volleyball team defeated Anne Arundel Community College 3-1 on September 9, 2025, at Jenkins Gymnasium. The match began at 6 p.m. and improved Southern Maryland’s record to 6-5 overall and 4-0 in conference play. Anne Arundel fell to 2-4 overall and 1-3 in the Maryland JUCO Conference.
Southern Maryland won the first set 25-11, the second 25-12 and the fourth 25-16. Anne Arundel took the third set 25-14. The Hawks recorded 112 kills on 221 attempts for a .189 hitting percentage, with 39 aces and 28 blocks contributing to their victory. Anne Arundel managed 82 kills on 310 attempts at .047, with 26 aces and 24 blocks.
Lelia Iafeta led Southern Maryland with 19 kills on 74 attempts at .243, adding three aces, 14 digs and four blocks for 22 points. Amelie Lancioni contributed 16 kills on 44 attempts, with 10 digs and two blocks for 11 points. Deanna Kalkbrenner added eight kills on 19 attempts at .158, with two blocks and 10 points. Taylor Hollinger recorded 11 kills on 51 attempts at .211 and five points. The team served 39 aces, with Ana Salamanca leading at four, and collected 79 digs, led by Iafeta’s 14.
For Anne Arundel, Emily Ezeiruaku topped the scorers with 25 kills on 52 attempts at .269 and 16 points. Myiah Parks added 11 kills on 31 attempts at .273 and eight points. Bella Hadden had four kills and two points, while Kailani Ricks contributed four kills on 24 attempts at .042 and five points. Nadia Suber recorded 14 kills on 41 attempts at -.071 and six points. Melissa Cunningham had 19 kills on 52 attempts at -.158 and four points. The Riverhawks had 69 digs, with Cunningham at 24, and 26 aces, led by Ezeiruaku’s four.
Both teams compete in NJCAA Division II, Region 20, where conference standings influence postseason qualification. Southern Maryland, based in La Plata, draws players from local high schools in Charles, Calvert and St. Mary’s counties. The program has maintained a .500 or better record for four straight seasons entering 2025, aiming for its first NJCAA national tournament appearance. Coach Michelle Ruble, who started the program in 1991, serves as the Maryland JUCO volleyball liaison and emphasizes fundamentals and community involvement.
Anne Arundel, located in Arnold, fields teams in the same conference and has a history of competitive play at Jenkins Gymnasium, which features retractable bleachers for 650 spectators and supports both basketball and volleyball. The facility, named for David S. Jenkins, former Anne Arundel County schools superintendent and AACC founder, hosts home games for the Riverhawks. AACC offers 12 intercollegiate sports and has seen recent academic success, with 55 athletes named to the fall 2024 AD Honor Roll and two volleyball players earning All-Region 20 honors in 2024.
This matchup highlighted regional rivalries in Southern Maryland and Anne Arundel County, areas connected by Route 4 and the Severn River. The Hawks’ undefeated conference start positions them well for upcoming games, including a home match against Garrett College on October 4, 2025. Anne Arundel, after recent losses, focuses on building momentum in non-conference play.
The Maryland JUCO Conference includes eight teams, with Region 20 tournaments determining national qualifiers. Volleyball seasons run from late August to early November, with practices emphasizing conditioning and team strategy. NJCAA rules require eligibility verification, including academic progress, for all participants. Southern Maryland’s athletic programs, including volleyball, soccer and basketball, support student-athletes transitioning from high school to college, with many advancing to four-year institutions.
In prior meetings, Southern Maryland swept Anne Arundel 3-0 on October 12, 2023, in La Plata. The 2025 season marks continued growth for both programs, with Southern Maryland adding men’s lacrosse and women’s cross country in recent years to expand opportunities. Anne Arundel’s campus spans 230 acres and serves over 14,000 students annually, integrating athletics with academic programs like nursing and culinary arts.
Southern Maryland’s victory underscores the role of community colleges in fostering local talent. The Hawks’ balanced attack, with multiple players in double figures for kills, demonstrated effective rotation and serving pressure. Anne Arundel’s third-set win showed resilience, but errors in other sets proved costly. Both teams prepare for mid-season challenges, with conference games deciding playoff berths.
