Lions Get Back on Winning Track

Lions Get Back on Winning Track

MIDDLETOWN, Pa.- The 2011 campaign has been one full of nagging injuries and close losses for Penn State Harrisburg's women's volleyball team. But on Tuesday, Oct. 4, the Lions overcame their setbacks and easily defeated Rosemont 3-0 at the Capital Union Building. The sweep gave the blue and white its fourth win of the season.

The first set belonged to Penn State Harrisburg. The ladies came out of the gate strong and mounted a ten-point lead midway through the set. The visiting Ravens did their best to get back into contention, but the outcome was never in doubt and the Lions eventually took the first set 25-11.

Set number two was a different story. Despite never falling behind their opponents, the Lions had a fight on their hands early as Rosemont kept the deficit to a manageable two points until Penn State Harrisburg Head Coach Bob Creason burned a timeout halfway through the set. The Lions went on a key 11-2 run out of the break and finished off the visitors 25-16.

The final set mirrored the first in both score and performance. Penn State Harrisburg mounted a large lead early and the Ravens were unable to keep it close. The Lions finished off the visitors to win the set and the match. They finished the evening exactly the way they started it: strong.

Nicole Donelson (McKeesport, PA/McKeesport), Chidere Igwe (West Orange, NJ/West Orange) and Miranda Jumper (Lebanon, PA/Lebanon) led the way offensively. Donelson had nine kills, Igwe recorded eight and Jumper added seven. On defense, Michelle Pellechia (Allentown, PA/Catasauqua) dug out 11 balls, while Bianca Stanton (Hummelstown, PA/Central Dauphin East) recorded nine digs of her own. Madeline Daubert (Pine Grove, PA/Pine Grove) excelled in her role as setter and racked up an impressive 27 assists.

Creason was most pleased with the fact that his team not only won the match, but escaped without any more injuries. He said his women took the opportunity to work on some things that needed improvement in their most recent win of the season.