FREDERICK, Md. – Penn State Harrisburg played its best match of the young 2012 campaign on Thursday night, Sep. 6.  The Lions traveled south for an early season non-conference contest and gave Hood a real test before falling to the Blazers in three sets, 25-15, 25-14 and 25-23.

Junior middle hitter Chidere Igwe (West Orange, N.J. / West Orange) led the way offensively for the blue and white, racking up a game-high seven kills.  Senior middle hitter Michelle Pellechia (Allentown, Pa. / Catasauqua) recorded four kills of her own while freshman outside hitter Olivia Umoren (Quincy, Mass. / North Quincy) chipped in with three.

Junior setter Beth Findley (New Providence, Pa. / Solanco) assisted on seven points while Katie Shek, the Lions' second setter, picked up four assists.  Sophomore outside hitter Jessica Sinex (Oxford, Pa. / Oxford) recorded the blue and white's two other assists of the match. 

Melissa Ganz (Weston, Fl. / Cypress Bay) was stout defensively.  Penn State Harrisburg's freshman defensive specialist dug out a game-high 14 balls while senior captain Miranda Jumper (Lebanon, Pa. / Lebanon) followed her with nine digs.  Outside hitter Monica Bishop (Mechanicsburg, Pa. / Mechanicsburg) recorded eight digs and sophomore defensive specialist Erin Goodyear (Boiling Springs, Pa. / Boiling Springs) did her part by digging out seven balls.

Despite trailing two sets to none, the Lions refused to go quietly into the night and pushed the Blazers to the limit in the third and final set.  For a team that struggled through much of last year due to the injury bug, that never-say-die mentality will be essential for success as the 2012 season wears on.

Penn State Harrisburg next takes the court this Saturday, Sep. 8 for a doubleheader on the campus of St. Mary's College (Md.).  The Lions first match gets underway at 3 p.m.