Posted: Oct 05, 2012
WASHINGTON D.C. – Penn State Harrisburg's recent hot-streak came to an end on day one of the latest North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) Crossover event hosted by Gallaudet on Friday, Oct. 5. After winning three-straight and six of their last nine contests, the Lions dropped both of their matches in straight-sets to Penn State Abington and Penn State Berks.
In the first match of the afternoon, the blue and white kept it close but ultimately fell to Abington 25-16, 25-21 and 25-20. The ladies managed just 18 kills, six of which came from freshman Olivia Umoren (Quincy, Mass. / North Quincy) while junior Chidere Igwe (West Orange, N.J. / West Orange), Michelle Pellechia (Allentown, Pa. / Catasauqua) and freshman Kiara Carter (Bronx, N.Y. / Milton Hershey) recorded three each.
Setters Beth Findley (New Providence, Pa. / Solanco) and Katie Shek (Old Bridge, N.J. / Old Bridge) combined for 15 assists; ten from Findley and five from Shek.
Freshman Melissa Ganz (Weston, Fl. / Cypress Bay) led the way defensively with nine kills while senior captain Miranda Jumper (Lebanon, Pa. / Lebanon) and Shek chipped-in with six apiece.
The Lions didn't fare much better in match number two as they fell to Berks 25-16, 25-13 and 25-18. Umoren again led the way on the offensive side of things, recording six kills for the second-straight outing. Sophomore Monica Bishop (Mechanicsburg, Pa. / Mechanicsburg) pitched-in with four of her own.
Findley and Shek assisted on 21 points against the opposing Lions. This time Shek led the way with 13 while Findley added eight.
Sophomore Erin Goodyear (Boiling Springs, Pa. / Boiling Springs) was stout defensively and dug out an impressive 15 balls. Sophomore Courtney Dimmig (Elizabethtown, Pa. / Elizabethtown) followed her with eight digs while Bishop and Umoren each dug out five balls. Umoren also recorded the team's only solo block of the match. Pellechia and Carter combined for another.
The losses dropped Penn State Harrisburg to 6-12 on the season but more importantly to 1-4 in NEAC play. The Lions will have to pick it up in league play in order to keep their postseason hopes alive.
The ladies will get the chance to get back on track on day two of the crossover. Penn State Harrisburg takes on Lancaster Bible and St. Elizabeth tomorrow, Oct. 6.