MANHEIM, Pa. – Penn State Harrisburg went offsite to the Spooky Nook Sports Complex to play host to Capital Athletic Conference (CAC) opponent and 2012 NCAA Division III championship tournament final four participant Christopher Newport on Friday night, Oct. 18. The visiting Captains looked like a national championship contending squad early before the Lions gave them a run for their money in the match's third set. Unfortunately, it proved too little too late for the Blue & White as the ladies fell 3-0.
Christopher Newport flexed its muscle early in the first set, jumping out to a commanding lead and never looking back en route to a 25-11 opening victory. The second set saw the Blue & White hang with the Captains until the midway point. Facing a 12-9 deficit, the Lions just couldn't keep the visitors' offensive attack at bay and eventually dropped set number two 25-14. In the final game, Penn State Harrisburg hung with Newport for the duration of the timeframe, never falling behind by more than three points until the Captains converted the clincher to take the set 25-21.
Penn State Harrisburg head coach Bob Creason was pleased with the effort his team put forth against one of the best teams in the nation.
"Our ladies played with enthusiasm and desire against an always tough and extremely tall Christopher Newport team," he said. "Both Chiddy (Igwe) and Kiara (Carter) were tough at the net with big blocks and our defense performed well at the net with only one hitting error in the second set and none in the third. Our unit played well and we dug up some very hard hits but we did have some trouble handling their difficult serving."
Sophomore Olivia Umoren (Quincy, Mass. / North Quincy) led the way offensively with six kills while fellow second-year player Kiara Carter (Bronx, N.Y. / Milton Hershey) added four. The Lions were especially efficient in the match's third set as they racked up nine total kills without committing any hitting errors.
Carter also played well on defense, recording two blocks and two digs. Senior Chidere Igwe (West Orange, N.J. / West Orange) individually turned back a Christopher Newport attempt while also assisting on two more blocks.
Senior Elizabeth Findley (New Providence, Pa. / Solanco) dug out a team-high six balls and added five assists. Junior Erin Goodyear (Boiling Springs, Pa. / Boiling Springs) and sophomore Melissa Ganz (Weston, Fla. / Cypress Bay) pitched in with three digs apiece.
Sophomore setter Katie Shek (Old Bridge, N.J. / Old Bridge) led the team with nine assists and also assisted on two blocks at the net.
The defeat dropped Penn State Harrisburg to 5-19 on the season and left them winless in CAC play (0-5). The Lions will look to parlay their hard-fought effort against a stout Christopher Newport squad into momentum when they next take the court on Thursday, Oct. 24. The ladies will travel south to take on another league foe in Salisbury.