Penn State Harrisburg 3, Cedar Crest 2
(25-23, 12-25, 25-12, 19-25, 15-7)
Harrisburg Lineup
Morris, Kreider, Sheaffer, Hamm, Cook, Imler, Ebaugh, Koicuba, Buckingham, Henry, Snyder, Ruff
Cedar Crest Lineup
McGowan, Rivera, Yasso, Hoppes, Podgurski, Rhoden, Hill, Mohney, Schouppe, Flatt
How It Happened
Penn State Harrisburg got off to a strong start in their tri-match at Wilkes University, defeating Cedar Crest College 3-2.
The Lions got out to a fast start in the opening set, using back-to-back kills from Melanie Sheaffer to take a 4-1 lead. The Falcons would battle back to tie the opening set at 14, but two service aces from Katelyn Kreider helped the Lions recapture a three-point advantage. Kreider led the Lions posting 12 kills in the contest. The Blue & White closed the set with kills from Brittany Ebaugh and Katelyn Kreider.
After dropping the second set, the Lions responded nicely jumping out to an 11-5 advantage in the third set with kills from Anna Ruff and Kreider. The Lions would continue growing the advantage, taking a 17-7 lead in the set after Cheyanna Buckingham recorded a kill. Buckingham would later close out the set with a kill, giving Harrisburg a 2-1 lead.
The Falcons would battle back, taking the fourth set 25-19, setting up a deciding fifth set. The Lions would open the fifth set with three straight kills from Kreider, Sheaffer, and Alexis Imler. Cedar Crest would answer back, tying the game at five. The Blue & White responded with four straight points, taking a 9-5 advantage. Harrisburg would remain in control, with Cheyanna Buckingham closing out the set with a kill, securing the Lions victory.
Inside the Numbers
- The Lions offense was led by Katelyn Kreider who recorded a double-double with 12 kills and 19 digs
- Melanie Sheffer had a strong outing, recording 11 kills
- The Blue & White held the advantage in kills, 56-40
- Alyssa Snyder led the Lions in assists with 24 and she added 10 digs
- Alexis Imler also posted a double-double with 19 assists and 14 digs
- Megan Morris had another solid defense outing, recording 27 digs as the teams Libero
- The Lions won the digs battle, 90-83
Penn State Harrisburg 3, Wilkes 1
(25-16, 27-25, 22-25, 26-24)
Harrisburg Lineup
Morris, Kreider, Sheaffer, Cook, Imler, Ebaugh, Buckingham, Snyder, Ruff
Wilkes Lineup
Bower, Huffman, Hadesty, Murphy, Mikovich, Najdek, Natale, Challenger, Ferrier
How It Happened
Using momentum from their victory over Cedar Crest, the Lions powered past Wilkes University, 3-1.
The teams traded points early in the first set. With the game tied at six, Harrisburg would rip off eight straight points, powered by kills from Melanie Sheaffer, Cheyanna Buckingham and Anna Ruff. The Lions remained in control, with Corrinne Cook closing out the opening set victory with a service ace, 25-16.
The second set was highly contested with the Lions offense being powered by Brittany Ebaugh. Ebaugh would record 8 kills in the set, part of her game high 18 kills. Harrisburg found themselves trailing 16-13 midway through the set, but they respond with kills from Sheaffer and Ebaugh to retake a 20-17 advantage. The Colonels would answer back and took a 25-24 lead. The Lions need a point to stay alive in the set, and Ebaugh would deliver a much-needed kill. With the set tied at 25, Sheaffer and Alexis Imler would record kills winning the set 27-25.
Wilkes would capture the third set, winning by a score of 25-22. Harrisburg looked to close out the game in the fourth set, getting out to a 4-1 early advantage. Wilkes would respond, controlling the middle of the set and built a 20-15 advantage, looking to force a fifth set. Ebaugh would start the Blue & White's rally with a kill. A service ace by Megan Morris and kills by Sheaffer and Ruff allowed the Lions to tie the set at 20. Later in the set, with Harrisburg leading 23-22, Cheyanna Buckingham recorded a kill, setting up match point. Cook would then close the set with a service ace, giving Harrisburg the 3-1 victory.
Inside the Numbers
- Brittany Ebaugh led the Lions offense with 18 kills while hitting .571
- Wilkes edged the Lions in the kill battle, 41-40
- Melanie Sheaffer continued her good offense day, adding 12 more kills
- Alyssa Snyder posted her second double-double of the day with 25 assists and 12 digs
- Megan Morris paced the Lions defense recording a team high 16 digs
Who's Next?
The Lions will open North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) action when they travel to Penn State Abington on Wednesday September 18 at 7:00 p.m.
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