SALISBURY, Md. – As Penn State Harrisburg's season winds down, the team's competition continues to ramp up.  After facing a final four squad from a year ago in Christopher Newport just six days earlier, the Lions traveled south to take on another team that made a deep run in the 2012 NCAA Division III tournament in Capital Athletic Conference (CAC) foe Salisbury on Thursday night, Oct. 24.  The 20-plus win Seagulls (24-4, 4-1 CAC) defeated the Blue & White in straight sets 25-10, 25-18 and 25-13.

"In the first set we overcame some jitters but then had too many errors and the very strong Salisbury offense took advantage," said Penn State Harrisburg head coach Bob Creason.  "In the second set we were able to play a much smoother and tidy game at first but couldn't keep up the momentum and let them take over the third set.  Too many mistakes let them get away from us early."

Creason was pleased with the effort he saw from his players, including a performance that saw no service errors committed, against another of the nation's very best teams.  Seniors Chidere Igwe (West Orange, N.J. / West Orange) and Elizabeth Findley (New Providence, Pa. / Solanco) had a solid night while junior Erin Goodyear (Boiling Springs, Pa. / Boiling Springs) led the team defensively, digging-out a Blue & White best 11 balls.   

Freshman Marion Chlipala (Cape Coral, Fl. / Oasis Charter) led the Lions with seven kills while Igwe pitched in with four of her own.  Findley, the team's setter, assisted on seven points and added six digs while Chlipala also dug out seven balls to go along with her offensive output.

The defeat dropped Penn State Harrisburg to 5-20 on the year and kept the Lions winless in conference play (0-6).  The ladies will perform double duty this weekend when they hit the road again, this time a tri-match at Southern Virginia on Saturday, Oct. 26.  The Lions take on the host school in the opener before getting a shot at Roanoke in the nightcap.