MILWAUKEE, Wis. — The Milwaukee Area Technical College women's volleyball team closed its home schedule on a winning note Saturday, rebounding from a four-set loss to Harper College with a four-set victory over Bay College at its Dig Pink Invitational. The Stormers split the doubleheader on its Sophomore Day, sending four departing sophomores out with a win in their final regular-season match at home.

Before the first serve, MATC recognized sophomores Natalia Farrugia, Kayleah Laughlin, Hope Martens and Annika Romine for their contributions to the program. Over the past two seasons, the four sophomores have played an important role in the program's growth and success.

"This sophomore class will stand out as the class that contributed the most to the program so far in its history," head coach Shel DeLisle said. "All four student-athletes have conducted themselves with composure, provided leadership in multiple ways, and created a culture that draws athletes to us. They stand out in the classroom with their academic achievements and their contributions on the court are obvious to anyone attending a match. Each of them holds multiple top-10 records in our sport and most hold the No. 1 or No. 2 record in skills. All four reached milestones during the season. But what the record books don't show is that they are caring, strong, and kind young women who I will miss very much next season. I know, though, that they will go on to do great things. I am very proud of them."

The Stormers began the day with a 3-1 (25-17, 10-25, 20-25, 23-25) loss to Harper before responding with a 3-1 (19-25, 25-17, 25-16, 25-21) victory over Bay College in the afternoon to force a split.

"We were really gunning for Harper, but we just couldn't pull it together," DeLisle said. "It is what it is."

Harper 3, Stormers 1
(25-17, 10-25, 20-25, 23-25)

MATC fell behind 12-5 in the opening set but rallied to take control late. Farrugia helped fuel the comeback with three kills, three blocks and a service ace as the Stormers erased the deficit to tie the score at 16-16. MATC then closed the set on a 9-1 run, with Farrugia, Laughlin, Isabella Bloom and Romine contributing to a 25-17 win.

Harper responded in the second set, using strong serving and a 15-3 run to pull away after taking an early 6-4 lead. The Hawks won 25-10 to even the match.

The third set remained close through the middle stages. MATC held a narrow advantage before Harper tied the score at 18-18. The Hawks then finished with a 7-2 run, capitalizing on timely kills and Stormers hitting errors to win 25-20 and move within a set of the match.

The fourth set was tight throughout, with the teams trading points and the score tied several times, including at 19-19 and 20-20. Harper's blocking proved decisive down the stretch. The Hawks recorded three point-scoring blocks and held off MATC's final push to secure a 25-23 win and the match.

Laughlin led the Stormers with 12 kills and 13 digs for a double-double, adding two block assists. Second-year setter Martens directed the offense with 25 assists, while Bloom finished with nine kills, five digs and a block assist.
Farrugia recorded eight kills, eight digs, two solo blocks and a block assist. Freshman Aubrey Schwent anchored the back row with 15 digs, and Dorothy Hoagland added two block assists. Onyx Burdette chipped in nine assists and four digs.

Stormers 3, Bay College 1
(19-25, 25-17, 25-16, 25-21)

After dropping the opening set, MATC responded with three straight wins to secure a 3-1 victory over Bay College. Freshman outside hitter Bloom led the way with 13 kills and a .333 hitting percentage, adding four service aces, 10 digs and two block assists.

"Bloom was one of our top passers today as well as being our offensive machine," DeLisle said.

Bay College struck first, building an early lead in the opening set. MATC battled back behind kills from Farrugia and Hoagland, fueling an 11-4 run that tied the score at 13 points apiece. The teams traded points before the Norse pulled ahead 19-16. Bay then closed the set with a 6-2 run following an MATC timeout to take the opener, 25-19.

The Stormers found their footing in the second set, taking an early lead and steadily building their advantage. MATC extended its lead to 15-9 after a timeout, then pushed the margin to 20-13 before closing out a 25-17 win to even the match.

Bloom helped spark MATC in the third set, recording four kills and three blocks as the Stormers surged to a 15-6 lead. They maintained control the rest of the way, winning 25-16 to move within a set of victory.

"As soon as I got that first kill in the third set, my confidence immediately shot up," Bloom said. "I knew I was going to get the next one, and my team saw that also, so they just kept feeding me the ball in the middle."

The fourth set was tighter, with neither team able to pull away. MATC held a slim 20-18 lead late before Bloom took over at the net, recording three kills during the Stormers' final five points. Back-to-back kills from Bloom helped seal the 25-21 win and complete the comeback.

"I really credit our passers for my performance," Bloom said. "They really got Onyx Burdette on when we got those free-ball plays. I do my best in the middle, so when I get to hit there off of plays we get to do, it usually goes down [for a point] and it's really exciting for the team to get us some energy."

MATC's offense received contributions throughout the lineup. Laughlin finished with 12 kills, four service aces and 10 digs, while Farrugia added 11 kills, an ace and four digs while hitting .241. Romine contributed seven kills, a block assist and a dig.
Burdette recorded a double-double with 24 assists and 10 digs. Martens also posted a double-double, finishing with 17 assists and 13 digs, while Schwent led the back row with 23 digs. Lydia Johnson added 10 digs and a kill, and Hoagland led MATC at the net with four block assists.

The win gave MATC a fitting end to its home schedule and one final opportunity to celebrate its departing sophomores in front of the home crowd.

"I was proud of the girls for responding with a win. I knew they had it in them," DeLisle said. "They are a very talented group, and when we let down, it's not always a talent issue. I was proud to be able to bring that one back and then hold it together for three straight sets without having to go to a fifth-set tiebreaker."

MATC finished the 2026 fall season with an 8-4 home record.