Top-seeded Johns Hopkins and third-seeded Franklin & Marshall will meet for the Centennial Conference volleyball championship following thrilling semifinal victories on Friday night.
In Baltimore, Md., JHU outlasted fifth-seeded Gettysburg 3-2 (18-25, 25-14, 15-25, 25-23, 15-11) to advance to the championship for the sixth straight season. The five-time defending champion Blue Jays will compete in the championship match for the 12th time and are seeking their ninth overall title. Simrin Carlsen led the way for Johns Hopkins with 15 kills and 14 digs and Pamela Chiakpo added 11 kills. Alycen Radolovic had a match-high 16 kills for the Bullets in the loss.
In Swarthmore, Pa., the Diplomats upended second-seeded Swarthmore 3-1 (25-13, 25-17, 23-25, 27-25). Three Diplomats finished with double-digit kills with Gianna Mangiamele and Sydney Levins leading the way with 15 each. Kaylee Zhang paced the Garnet with 15 kills. The Diplomats will be making their ninth title game appearance on Sunday and aiming for their fourth tournament title and seventh overall crown.
Sunday's matchup will mark the fourth title game showdown between the two sides, with the others occurring in 2019, 2012 and 2000. The Blue Jays hold a 2-1 edge in the title matchups. The match will begin at 1 p.m. in Baltimore.
QUARTERFINALS: Wednesday, Nov. 2 | at #3 & #4 seeds
#3 Franklin & Marshall d. #6 Muhlenberg, 3-0 (25-13, 25-15, 25-21)
#5 Gettysburg d. #4 Dickinson, 3-0 (25-20, 25-16, 25-21)
SEMIFINALS: Friday, Nov. 4 | at #1 & #2 seeds
#3 Franklin & Marshall d. #2 Swarthmore, 3-1 (25-13, 25-17, 23-25, 27-25)
#1 Johns Hopkins d. #5 Gettysburg, 3-2 (18-25, 25-14, 15-25, 25-23, 15-11)
CHAMPIONSHIP: Sunday, November 6 | at highest remaining seed
#3 Franklin & Marshall at #1 Johns Hopkins, 1 p.m.