RUTHERFORD, N.J. – The Felician University women's volleyball team made its return to the Job Gymnasium hardwood on Wednesday afternoon. Playing for the first time in 15 months, the Golden Falcons dropped a 3-0 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference decision to visiting Georgian Court University. Set scores were 25-23, 25-18, 25-20.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Golden Falcons had not taken to the floor for competition since falling to Holy Family University on Nov. 23, 2019, in their first-ever trip to the CACC semifinals. Felician was playing its initial home match since earning the program's first CACC playoff victory, over Wilmington (Del.) University three days prior.

"It was nice to get back out there with my teammates after such a long break," said Felician captain Miquela Martinez (Santa Fe, N.M./St. Michael's), who picked up 27 assists and eight digs from her setter position. "Now, more than ever, we're grateful to be able to play the game we love."

On Wednesday, junior outside hitter Maddie Sloan (Caldwell, N.J./James Caldwell) led Felician (0-1, 0-1 CACC) with 12 kills and added eight digs. Senior middle blocker Katie Asbery (Mililani, Hawaii/Mililani) tossed in 10 kills and three blocks for the Golden Falcons.

Georgian Court (2-2, 1-0) led, 13-8, in the early stages of Set 1, only to see Felician come back for a 15-15 tie. The Lions went ahead to stay by capturing the next three rallies, the first two on kills by freshman Nylene Mateo (Bogota, N.J./Bogota). Trailing 24-22, the Golden Falcons saved one set point on a kill by Asbery before Mateo put a ball down for the 25-23 Lion victory.

Felician led the second set as late as 15-13, but GCU roared back to score the next five points and pull away. The Lions rode the momentum to a 9-4 start to Set 3. Asbery then had a pair of blocks during a 3-0 spurt for the Golden Falcons. Georgian Court answered with the next four points, however, to move ahead by six. Felican came as close as 21-19 before the visitors closed out the match.

Senior outside Aubrey Binkley (Toms River, N.J./Toms River North) paced GCU with 13 kills and eight digs. Transfer Hannah Chiswick (Pittstown, N.J./Delaware Valley) totaled nine kills and 13 digs for Felican.

Felician faces Nyack College in a 1 p.m. CACC match on Sunday. The contest will be hosted by the Warriors at New Jersey City University. Per CACC policy, no spectators are allowed at conference events until further notice; check www.caccnetwork.com for webstream details.