On September 20, 2025, Southern Maryland’s volleyball team secured a decisive 3-0 sweep over Allegany College of Maryland at the College of Southern Maryland (CSM) Gymnasium in La Plata. The match, which began at 10:00 a.m., saw the Hawks dominate with set scores of 25-22, 25-18, and 25-16, improving their record to 8-7 overall and 5-1 in conference play. Allegany, falling to 4-3 overall and 2-2 in conference, struggled to match Southern Maryland’s balanced attack and defensive resilience, a performance that thrilled local fans in St. Mary’s, Calvert, and Charles counties.
Southern Maryland’s offensive efficiency was evident from the first set, where they hit .220, led by Lelia Iafeta’s eight kills on 15 attempts. The Hawks maintained momentum, improving to a .205 hitting percentage by the third set, with Deanna Kalkbrenner contributing 13 kills and Amelie Lancioni adding six. Ana Salamanca and Mia Decarlo orchestrated the offense with 41 combined assists, while Decarlo’s three service aces and 22 digs anchored the backcourt. Defensively, Southern Maryland recorded eight blocks, with Donshae Walls and Kennedi Jones each contributing two, stifling Allegany’s attempts to rally.
Allegany showed flashes of competitiveness, particularly in the first set, where they hit .023 and stayed close at 22-25. Ryan Whitehead led with nine kills and 15 digs, while Addison Miller added six kills at a .222 clip. However, the Trojans faltered in the second set, posting a negative .062 hitting percentage, and could not recover despite a slight improvement to .061 in the third. Makenna Conway’s 19 assists kept Allegany in the fight, but their 22 attack errors and only three blocks allowed Southern Maryland to control the match.
The first set was the most contested, with Allegany trailing by just three points. Southern Maryland’s ability to capitalize on errors and maintain consistent serving, led by Kaylen Miles’ three aces, set the tone. The second set saw the Hawks pull away as Allegany’s offense struggled, with 11 errors undermining their efforts. By the third set, Southern Maryland’s blocking and digging overwhelmed the Trojans, who managed only eight kills.
Coach’s View
Southern Maryland’s coaching staff likely emphasized aggressive serving and net presence, as evidenced by their eight blocks and eight service aces. Starting Iafeta, Kalkbrenner, and Lancioni paid dividends, with their combined 27 kills overwhelming Allegany’s defense. The Hawks’ ability to limit errors (13 compared to Allegany’s 22) and maintain a high assist count reflects a disciplined game plan. For Allegany, the focus was on rallying behind Conway’s playmaking, but their inability to reduce attack errors suggests a need for better offensive coordination. Coach Makenna Conway’s 19 assists indicate potential, but the Trojans must shore up their hitting efficiency to compete against top conference teams.
The Hawks’ defensive strategy, particularly their blocking, disrupted Allegany’s rhythm, while their balanced attack kept the Trojans guessing. Allegany’s staff will likely focus on improving their hitters’ decision-making and strengthening their block, which managed only three against Southern Maryland’s 130 attacks.
Looking Ahead
Southern Maryland’s sweep positions them well in the conference, with their 5-1 record signaling a strong postseason push. Players like Iafeta and Kalkbrenner will be key as the Hawks face tougher opponents. Allegany, at 2-2 in conference, needs to address their offensive inconsistencies to climb the standings. Both teams return to action soon, with Southern Maryland aiming to maintain their momentum at home and Allegany seeking to rebound on the road.
