NEAC Tournament Semi-Final
Penn State Abington 3, Penn State Harrisburg 2
(24-26, 25-20, 18-25, 25-22, 15-7)
Harrisburg Lineup
Morris, Kreider, Sheaffer, Cook, Imler, Ebaugh, Buckingham, Snyder, Ruff
Abington Starters
Shreve, Strazza, Dayley, Schwar, Costello, Link, Tabares, McAnaney
How It Happened
Penn State Harrisburg fell in their North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) semi-final matchup with Penn State Abington, 3-2. The Lions were led by NEAC Defensive Player of the Year Brittany Ebaugh who recorded 13 kills and six blocking assists.
The Lions got the match off to a strong start, rallying to capturing the opening set. Harrisburg trailed 23-20 late in the set, when a Melanie Sheaffer kill started the comeback. The Lions would capitalize on two attack errors and a kill by Anna Ruff to take a 24-23 lead. Abington would tie the game at 24 before two straight kills by Sheaffer allowed Harrisburg to win the set.
Abington would respond, using a pair of four-point runs to capture the set. Abington's offense attack was powered by Katharine Costello who recorded a game high 37 kills. With the match tied at one set apiece, Harrisburg started the third set out strong using two service aces from Megan Morris to take a 5-2 lead. The Lions would take control of the set, using a four-point run powered by a pair of kills from Alexis Imler to take a 17-9 lead in the set. Harrisburg held the advantage, capturing the third set with a block by Brittany Ebaugh and Imler.
Abington would battle back behind the tremendous offense performance from Costello and Jenny McAnaney (24 kills) to rally and capture the fourth set, sending the match to a deciding fifth set. The teams would trade points early in the set tying the game at six. Abington would use its powerful offensive attack to score seven straight points in route to the victory.
Inside the Numbers
- Brittany Ebaugh led the Lions offense with 13 kills and six blocking assists
- Melanie Sheaffer had a strong outing registering 13 kills as well
- Anna Ruff posted a team high 17 points, with 11 kills and six blocking assists, and three service aces
- Abington held the advantage in kills 64-60,
- Abington's Katharine Costello had a game high 34 kills
- Alexis Imler and Alyssa Snyder combined to post 57 assists
- Corrine Cook led the Lions defense with a team high 14 digs
Who's Next?
The Lions will wait to see if they have earned a berth in the ECAC Championship Tournament next week.
Stay Connected
Be sure to follow @pshbgathletics on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for the latest and most in-depth coverage of Penn State Harrisburg athletics.