LAKELAND, Florida - The American International College women's volleyball team played in three matches in the first weekend of competition, facing No. 14 Lewis and Florida Southern College on Friday, September 7 and Palm Beach Atlantic University on Saturday, September 8. AIC went 0-3 in the matches despite some strong moments of play.

Against the Flyers, AIC started strong, winning the first set 25-19, but the nation's 14th-ranked squad picked up its play after that, hitting above .400 in the second and third sets to take a 2-1 lead. AIC bounced back in the fourth, but dropped a heartbreaker, 26-24, to fall 3-1. Janelys Perez Cortes scored 17 kills to lead the match, while Alice Di Francesco dished 30 assists and made 15 digs.

AIC's next task was the host Mocs, and while each of the first two sets were close, Florida Southern won 25-22 and 25-23 for a 2-0 lead before closing it out in the third. Victoria Mendez shined in this match for the Yellow Jackets, landing a team-best nine kills with eight assists as well. AIC's defense did hold the home squad to a .181 attack percentage. 

In the weekend finale, the Yellow Jackets took on Palm Beach Atlantic, and while AIC again held the opposition under a .200 attack percentage, the team committed 36 attack errors of its own. Kiya Yeoman had the best day on the squad, with five kills and a .364 attack percentage, while Perla Rosa made 20 digs of her 41 on the weekend.

AIC will play its first East Region opponent when the Yellow Jackets visit Post University on Wednesday, September 11 at 6:00 p.m.