September 2, 2021 – By Josh Wilets

In the inaugural season for the Drew University women’s volleyball program, they hosted the Bard Raptors in a non-conference contest at Baldwin Gym in Madison, NJ. Drew took home the win in short order, sweeping the Raptors 3-0 (25-14, 25-19, 25-17).

The first set saw the Drew Rangers take a lead on the first point scored in the history of the program. Drew and Bard were neck-and-neck until freshman hitter Andrea Camacho-Tenreiro put down a big kill, which sparked a 10-1 run. Fellow frosh outside hitter Gabi Trinker finished off the first set with her first collegiate kill, while Camacho-Tenreiro recorded 5 kills in the first set.

In set number two, the Raptors kept it close almost all the way to the finish. A 5-0 run, including a 4-0 service run from freshman setter Shelby Weeden, gave the Rangers a 2-0 advantage in the match. Drew took the set by the score of 25-19.

Set number three started out exactly the way Drew wanted, thanks to a 7-1 run after dropping the first two points in the game. An 8-2 tear, which included 4 kills from Melina Christodoulou, iced the first ever win in Drew women’s volleyball program history.

Andrea Camacho-Tenreiro led the way for the Rangers with 16 kills and 2 blocks. Lauren Gaza brought the shovel out, snagging 19 digs, while Weeden dished out 15 assists. Kiara Vasquez added 3 service aces to add the cherry on top.

Starting a program is never easy, so big-time kudos to head coach Alyssa Broccoli and assistant coaches Allison Regan and Bill Lee.

“What we stressed was to have fun,” Broccoli said, “Just seeing fans in the stands, parents, friends, family, and the girls are a huge part of this.”

Drew heads to Middletown, PA to face off against PSU-Harrisburg and Clarks Summit on September 4.