Moravian Tops Catholic to Advance to Landmark Women's Volleyball Semifinals

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The fourth-seeded Moravian University women's volleyball squad defeated visiting fifth seed The Catholic University, 3-1, in the 2026 Landmark Conference Tournament First Round Tuesday evening in Johnston Hall to advance to the Landmark Conference Semifinals.

How It Happened

The Cardinals scored the first two points of the match, and Catholic led 3-1 when the Greyhounds ran off three straight points for a 4-3 edge. The Cardinals rallied and moved twice at 9-7 and 12-10 before the Blue & Grey ran off seven straight points, with junior defensive specialist Marielle Paniagua serving to build a 17-12 edge. Moravian went on to win the game 25-20 and take a 1-0 lead
The Hounds raced out to a 6-2 advantage in the second set before Catholic closed within a point at 11-10. The Blue & Grey pushed ahead for a 19-11 edge only to see the Cardinals get back within a point at 20-19. Moravian maintained its lead and captured the game 25-23 for the 2-0 advantage
The third set was close throughout, with the Greyhounds holding a 14-9 lead, the largest of the game. Catholic evened the game and would eventually record a 25-23 set win to cut the score to 2-1
Moravian raced out to a 5-2 edge to start the fourth game while the Cardinals came back for a 7-6 edge. The squads traded the lead with neither team leading by more than three points the rest of the way. The Hounds led 24-22 before Catholic knotted the score at 24-24. The Greyhounds picked up the final two points to take the set 26-24 to advance to the Semifinals
Moravian was hosting its first postseason match in Johnston Hall since the 2012 season, and the Hounds will be making their first trip to the Landmark Conference Semifinals since 2017

Inside the Numbers

Senior middle blocker Kate McBrierty led the Greyhounds with 14 kills, along with four blocks and four digs, while senior outside hitter Gabbie Reigner added 12 kills, ten digs, and three service aces to reach 150 career service aces
Senior outside hitter Kelly Tempalsky contributed nine kills and two digs, while senior middle blocker Payton Reuber had eight kills, including the match winner, to go with four digs and a pair of blocks
Sophomore setter Aubrey Pringle ran the Moravian offense with 38 assists to go along with 15 digs, three service aces, two blocks and a pair of kills, while senior libero Sam Love registered 15 digs and a service ace
Paniagua finished the night with 11 digs and a service ace, while senior defensive specialist Molly Hughes posted six digs and two assists
Sophomore opposite hitter Ella Kilko had three digs, two blocks, and a kill while freshman setter Alex Landazabal added a service ace

Up Next for the Greyhounds

Thursday, November 12 at No. 11 Juniata College in the Landmark Conference Semifinal, 7:00 p.m.