MIDDLETOWN, Pa. – Penn State Harrisburg's women's volleyball team defeated Penn State Berks in a five-set thriller in United East Volt Division First Round action at the Capital Union Building on Saturday afternoon to secure the program's first postseason victory since 2009. The hometown Lions overcame an early deficit to move on with a 16-25, 25-20, 25-18, 21-25, 15-9 decision.

Tori Henderson led the way offensively with 11 kills, while Julia Choe racked up a team-high 21 digs. Hannah DeGregory tallied 21 assists and Katie Richardson assisted on 15 points. As a group, the hometown Lions recorded eight total blocks.

HOW IT HAPPENED

After a slow start that saw Penn State Berks (7-18) take the first set 25-16, Penn State Harrisburg (12-15) battled to a 25-20 second-set victory that was close throughout. With the score tied at 20-20 late in the second set, Henderson jumpstarted the run with a kill before Carolina Hernandez and Amoi Willis added kills of their own. Tiniira Tubo added a service ace and Henderson put it away with another kill.

The third set was also tight for most of the way but the hometown Lions scored 10 of the final 11 points to take the set and pull ahead overall. Emmaline Stevens provided the spark in the third during her initial service run and closed things out during another than included kills from herself, Hernandez, and Henderson before she sealed it with an ace.

In keeping with the pattern of the day, the fourth set was another back-and-forth affair. This time, the visitors emerged victorious thanks to scoring the final three points of the set. In the fifth and deciding set, Penn State Harrisburg responded after the squads traded points until the home team rallied off six of the final seven, including the concluding Henderson kill that clinched the playoff victory for the hometown Lions.

NOTABLES

- The win was Penn State Harrisburg's first playoff victory in 14 years.

- The hometown Lions hit .438, while Penn State Berks managed just a .071 hitting percentage.

- Henderson finished with 11 kills and seven digs. Hernandez and Camryn Wettstone added nine kills each.

- DeGregory tallied seven kills, 21 assists, and 16 digs.

- Choe recorded 21 digs and five assists. Stevens added 14 digs of her own.

- Choe, Tubo, and Richardson had two service aces apiece.

- Amoi Willis had four block assists. Hernandez, DeGregory, and Tubo had three each.

WHO'S NEXT?

Depending on the rest of Saturday's results, the Lions will either travel to top-seeded Gallaudet or No. 2 seed Lancaster Bible for United East Volt Division Semifinal action on Tuesday night.

STAY CONNECTED 

Fans can keep up with Penn State Harrisburg Athletics all season long on Instagram, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Threads, and Youtube using the handle @pshbgathletics.