PHILADELPHIA – Chestnut Hill College rode a strong defensive effort to a 3-0 (25-9, 25-23, 25-17) Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference women's volleyball victory over visiting Felician College on Saturday afternoon at Sorgenti Arena.

Chestnut Hill (8-17, 4-10 CACC) held the Golden Falcons to a negative attack percentage on the day, as Felician was credited with 24 kills and charged with 28 attack errors. The Griffin defense also led its visitors in blocks, 6-2, and digs, 44-38.

After CHC quickly went ahead one set to none, the teams played a second set that featured 12 ties and seven lead changes. Felician led, 21-18, before consecutive kills by Kailey Arlen (Orland Park, Ill.) highlighted a run of five straight points for the Griffins and a two-point lead. A trade of side-outs brought Chestnut Hill to set point, and after Felician saved one to pull within 24-23, a Rachel Biro (Nazareth, Pa.) kill ended the set in CHC's favor.

The Griffins never trailed in Set 3, turning a 7-7 tie into leads of 13-8 and then 19-9. Down 24-14, the Golden Falcons were able to turn away three potential match points before succumbing on kill by Mary Markowski (Parkton, Md.).

Freshman Olivia Emerson (Sparks, Nev.) led Felician (1-19, 1-13) with eight kills. Classmate Susan McKeever (North Fort Myers, Fla.) posted 19 assists, seven digs, and two aces on the day. Biro topped all players with 10 kills and four blocks for Chestnut Hill.