St. Davids, Pa. (November 15) - The Stevenson Mustangs battled through a marathon championship match on Saturday afternoon, outlasting Eastern in a five-set showdown to secure the MAC Commonwealth title. Senior outside hitter Giulia Viglietta was recognized as the Tournament MVP for her dominant performance throughout the postseason.

Set 1: 
Stevenson opened the championship with composure and strong offensive balance. Early kills from Rachel Lenz and Viglietta set the tone, while Logan Burge made her presence felt at the net with key blocks. Eastern threatened a late run, but the Mustangs slammed the door on the comeback. Lenz delivered the final kill to take the opening set and establish momentum.

Set 2:
The Mustangs continued to battle, trading points in a tight second set highlighted by steady setting from Declyn Tooze and strong back-row play by Lilly Eichelberger. Stevenson held a narrow lead midway through, but Eastern surged late to even the match. Despite the setback, the Mustangs' defensive effort—particularly through extended rallies—kept them firmly in the fight.

Set 3:
Set three was another razor-thin battle. Viglietta and Lenz powered the offense with timely kills, and Tooze added a crucial service ace to keep the Mustangs close. Stevenson fought off multiple Eastern pushes, tying the set deep into extra points. Eastern ultimately escaped with the narrow win, but the Mustangs' energy and resolve set the stage for a momentum shift.

Set 4:
With their season on the line, Stevenson responded with championship-level composure. A poised serving run from Tooze created separation, while Burge and Lillianna Hornickle controlled the net with a surge of block assists. Viglietta delivered several decisive kills to quiet the Eastern crowd. The Mustangs closed on a 5–2 run, pushing the match to a winner-take-all fifth set.

Set 5:
The Mustangs entered the final frame with intensity. Eichelberger opened with a clutch service ace, and Lenz and Viglietta hammered home kills that built an early cushion. Stevenson's defense held strong through Eastern's last push, with Sydney Salazar and Isabella Terra anchoring the back row. Viglietta sealed the championship with a clean strike off a set from Tooze, giving the Mustangs the 3–2 victory and the MAC Commonwealth crown.


Stevenson enters the national stage with championship momentum and confidence as they now await their NCAA Tournament match up, which will be revealed during the NCAA Selection Show on Monday, November 17 at 1 PM.