MILWAUKEE, Wis. – The Alverno College volleyball team wrapped up its 2025 season on Saturday afternoon, falling 3-0 (25-9, 25-10, 25-16) to Rockford University inside Reiman Gymnasium. The Inferno celebrated Senior Day after the conclusion of the game, recognizing seniors Sharisty Kooch (Terrebonne, Ore./Redmond) and Breann Flannery (Argyle, Wis./Argyle) for their leadership and dedication to the program.

On the court, Alverno was led offensively by freshman Mary Needham (San Tan Valley, Ariz./Poston Butte), who paced the team with a match-high 11 kills on a .208 hitting percentage while also adding seven digs and one service ace. Kooch had another solid day, serving up 10 assists while also adding five digs as the architect of the offensive effort. Offensively, freshman Leilani Curtis (Rockford, Ill./Auburn) had four kills, and Elyse Kozikowski (Watertown, Wis./Dodgeland) had two.

Defensively, freshman Brooklynne Hereford (Beloit, Wis./Beloit Memorial) anchored the back row with a match-high 14 digs, also adding a service ace, while fellow freshman Holly King (Richland Center, Wis./Ithaca) added six digs.

Rockford's consistent and efficient attack proved to be the difference, as the Regents committed just five attack errors and hit .298 while forcing Alverno into 28 attacking errors of their own. The Inferno outpaced Rockford with 43 digs to their 41, but the Regent tallied 11 service aces and four blocks, while Alverno had just two aces and no blocks.

Alverno falls to 3-21 (0-11 NACC) on the season, while Rockford improves to 5-16 (3-8 NACC). The Inferno next host Lakeland on Thursday, Nov. 6, for their final home game of the 2025 season.

The Regents set the tone early in the first two sets, using strong serving runs to build early leads that the Inferno couldn't quite overcome. Alverno showed flashes of rhythm midway through the third frame, with Needham stacking back-to-back kills to energize the offense. In the third set, the Inferno battled their way into extended rallies, sparked by efficient swings from Needham. Alverno showed flashes of rhythm midway through the third frame, with Needham stacking back-to-back kills to energize the offense. After the Regents took a 23-9 lead, the Inferno rattled off their best stretch of the day with a 7-1 run to move within eight points, highlighted by two Needham kills and her long service ace. Chloe Green closed out the match, however, for Rockford with a kill off a feed from Savannah Crooks, giving the Regents the sweep.

Seven players had at least three kills for Rockford, as Leila Cooks led the offensive effort with 11 assists, while also adding 10 digs for a double-double. Amelia Rodriguez had three kills and five service aces for a team-high 8.5 points, as she also added a block assist. More Than a Game, 25 Years of Strength and Spirit: Alverno College is proud to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Alverno Athletics. Since 2000, our student-athletes have embodied the spirit of competition, teamwork, and excellence both on and off the courts and fields. Join us in honoring a quarter-century of Inferno pride on the following dates as we celebrate 25 years of strength and spirit -

• Softball vs. Maranatha on March 31^st at 3 p.m.
• Softball vs. Concordia Wisconsin on April 25 at noon