In a thrilling Centennial Conference-opening match, the Muhlenberg volleyball team fell at home to Franklin & Marshall in five sets.

The Diplomats (12-2, 1-0), who ended the Mules' season in the first round of last year's CC playoffs, received 16 votes in this week's Division III poll. Muhlenberg (5-7, 0-1) hadn't won more than one set against F&M since 2017.

Muhlenberg trailed 18-15 in the first set before reeling off seven straight points behind the serving of sophomore Chloe Gaglione, who landed back-to-back aces in the middle of the run. The Diplomats called timeout and scored a point to break the streak and close to within 22-19, but the Mules finished off the set with a kill by senior Rachel Jacobs and consecutive aces by freshman Emma Laskaj.

Muhlenberg had two set points in the second set, serving at 24-22, before F&M came back to even the match with a 27-25 win.

The Mules jumped out to a 10-3 advantage in the third set and held off a Diplomat run to win 25-20 and take a 2-1 lead. Muhlenberg cut a 17-8 deficit to 17-13 in the fourth set, but the Diplomats stemmed the tide to win, 25-17, and force a fifth set.

A kill by senior Esmae Oehler gave Muhlenberg an 8-7 lead at the change in the decisive fifth set. It was 9-9 before F&M scored two straight points, and the Mules could not draw even again, falling 15-11.

Oehler led four players in double figures with 12 kills, including the 750th of her career. Jacobs (11 kills) also reached a career milestone, surpassing 500 kills.

Junior Christina Marcin also knocked down 11 kills, while freshman Olivia Bruno (pictured above) recorded a career-high 10 in only 21 attempts.

Marcin and Gaglione finished with 14 digs apiece, and freshman Megan Bagrosky hit double figures for the first time in her career with 12. Sophomore Jenny Ryan dished out 39 assists.