PHILADELPHIA, PA. – September 6, 2025 – The Lincoln University women's volleyball team opened its 2025 season on Saturday, competing in a tri-match against Holy Family and Kutztown. Despite strong performances from Elise Carter (Smyrna, DE/Smyrna HS) and Ashley Fru (Brandywine, MD), the Lions dropped both matches by 0-3.

Holy Family 3, Lincoln 0 – Match Recap
Lincoln showed stretches of fight in its season opener but came up short against a sharp Holy Family squad. Khalia Jabbie (Portland ,OR) paced the Lions with 4 kills, while Fru added 2 kills, 8 assists, and 6 service aces to spark the attack. Audreynette Lydgate (Bowie, MD/Charles Herbert Flowers HS) chipped in 2 kills and 3 block assists at the net, while freshman libero Donavyn Morris (Chester, PA) anchored the back row with a team-high 12 digs.

The Lions improved their offensive flow as the match progressed, scoring 18 points in the second set and 14 in the third, but Holy Family's efficiency at the net proved too much to overcome.

Kutztown 3, Lincoln 0 – Match Recap
In the second match of the day, Lincoln put together its strongest performance, pushing Kutztown to the wire in sets two and three. Carter led the offense with 8 kills on an impressive .364 hitting percentage, while Fru turned in another all-around performance with 7 kills, 18 assists, and 3 service aces. Charly Manley (Upper Marlboro, MD/Frederick Douglass HS) also finished with 7 kills, and Morris continued her steady play on defense with 19 digs.

The Lions' most competitive set came in the second, where they battled point-for-point before ultimately falling 28-26. Lincoln carried that momentum into the third set, reaching 20 points before Kutztown closed it out.

What's Next
Lincoln continues its non-conference slate on Tuesday, September 9, traveling across town to face Jefferson University at 6 p.m.