SCRANTON, P.A. – The Nazareth women's volleyball team faced a formidable opponent to open the season, falling 25-13, 25-27, 25-9, 25-20 to the University of Scranton on Friday night. The Royals were an NCAA Tournament team in 2021, finishing the season 25-8 in the Landmark Conference.
 
With the loss, Nazareth falls to 0-1 on the season, while Scranton moves to 1-0.
 
After falling 25-13 in the opening set, the Golden Flyers were able to rally in the second to even the match a 1-1. On the ropes at 24-21, Nazareth rattled off six of the next seven points to take the second set. Sophomore Zoe Tylipakis started off the rally for the Golden Flyers with a kill. Following a ball handling and attacking error, Nazareth took the lead at 25-24 on a service ace from Kaylee Kelly. Following a point from the Royals to even the score at 25, senior Eva Lyko notched a kill. Nazareth closed out the set win on a double block from Lyko and Ruth Jackson.
 
The Royals opened up a 6-3 lead in the third set. Nazareth went cold and scored just two of the next 13 points, a margin the Golden Flyers could not overcome.
 
Nazareth never led in the fourth and final set.
 
The Royals hit .271 for the match (56 kills, 17 errors, 144 attempts), while Nazareth hit .081 (30 kills, 19 errors, 135 attempts). 
 
Kelly paced Nazareth with 12 kills on a .200 hitting percentage and also notched 11 digs. Jenna Mattison led the way with 13 digs, while Tessa Grover dished out 18 assists.
 
Nazareth returns to action on Saturday for two games, taking on Muhlenberg at 11 a.m. followed by Lebanon Valley at 3 p.m.