ELMIRA, N.Y. – The Gallaudet University women's volleyball team opened the 2026 season in impressive fashion Friday evening with a straight-set 3-0 victory over New England College on the first day of the Elmira College Quad Match at Speidel Gymnasium.
The Bison (1-0) swept the Pilgrims (0-2) by scores of 25-17, 25-19 and 26-24.
Gallaudet has now won its season-opening match four consecutive years, with all four victories coming against neutral-site opponents during opening-weekend tournaments.
Senior outside hitter
Brielle Worley (Amarillo, Texas) powered the Bison attack with a match-high 21 kills on 41 attempts with only six errors for a .366 hitting percentage. Worley also collected seven digs as she accounted for nearly 57 percent of Gallaudet's 37 kills.
Senior outside hitter
Jada Zarembka (Riverside, Calif.) added nine kills, eight digs and a service ace. Graduate student
Bri Eilderts (Omaha, Neb.) chipped in four kills and Gallaudet's lone block while first-year opposite
Aliyah Medearis (Colorado Springs, Colo.) made an immediate impact in her collegiate debut with three kills and a match-high six service aces.
First-year setter
Gracie Gloster (Clark, N.J.) directed the Bison offense with a match-high 28 assists to go with eight digs and one ace in her collegiate debut. Fellow first-year libero
Tori Harris (Stockbridge, Ga.) led Gallaudet with nine digs and added three assists and an ace.
Gallaudet controlled the opening two sets before New England College made things interesting in the third.
The Pilgrims jumped out to a 17-12 advantage and appeared poised to extend the match before the Bison answered. Medearis stepped to the service line and helped GU reel off five consecutive points, including four straight service aces, as Gallaudet surged ahead, 18-17.
New England College regained the lead and went up 21-19 before Gallaudet responded again. Worley delivered down the stretch with four kills among GU's final five points as the Bison completed the comeback and closed out the match, 26-24.
Gallaudet finished the match with a .262 hitting percentage (37 kills, 15 errors, 84 attempts), while New England College was held to a .080 hitting percentage (25 kills, 18 errors, 88 attempts). Both teams recorded nine service aces.
BISON TRACKS
- Worley's 21 kills marked the 18th time she has recorded 20 or more kills in a match during her Gallaudet career (2024-26).
- Gallaudet hit .262 for the match and held New England College to .080.
- The Bison have won their season-opening match four consecutive seasons.
UP NEXT
Gallaudet returns to Speidel Gymnasium on Saturday, Sept. 5, for two matches to conclude the Elmira College Quad Match. The Bison face Geneva College (2-0) at 11 a.m. before taking on host Elmira College (0-2) at 1 p.m.
