ALTOONA, Pa. – Penn State Harrisburg women's volleyball team picked up its fifth straight win thanks to a 3-1 road victory over Penn State Altoona on Tuesday night, Oct. 5. 

HOW IT HAPPENED 

The Lions (11-5) secured a four-set victory over the hosts from Penn State Altoona (7-3) behind set scores of 25-18, 18-25, 25-23, and 28-26. Three Penn State Harrisburg players in Anna Ruff, Melanie Sheaffer, and Cheyanna Buckingham reached the double-digit kills mark, Megan Morris had 20 digs, and Alyssa Snyder racked up 43 assists.  

After a back-and-forth beginning to the opening set, Penn State Harrisburg created some breathing room with a 10-3 run capped by a Ruff finish off a Snyder feed midway through the game. The home team drew to within three late but the Blue & White held off the push and closed things out with a 5-1 stretch during a Morris service run.  

The visitors dropped the second set but responded with another strong effort in the third. Penn State Harrisburg took a 20-11 lead thanks to kills by Buckingham and blocks by Buckingham and Ruff but Penn State Altoona climbed back into it with a big push that eventually tied things up at 22-22. Emmaline Stevens came through with a big kill for the Blue & White, sparking a strong finish that allowed them to hold on and take the set. 

The fourth and final game matched the excitement of the prior set and came down to extra time. Penn State Harrisburg took an early lead during a Tiniira Tubo service run and led 10-4 following another kill from Ruff. Just like the previous game, however, Penn State Altoona fought back and eventually tied things up at 26-26. Tubo answered the call with a kill that put the visitors back in front before Buckingham ended a back-and-forth volley with a kill that clinched the thrilling victory.  

NOTABLES 

- Penn State Harrisburg's current five-match win streak is the team's longest of the season. 

- Anna Ruff impressed, tallying a team-high 14 total points thanks to 11 kills, four block assists, and a solo block. 

- Cheyanna Buckingham and Melanie Sheaffer each had 10 kills, with Buckingham adding three block assists. 

- Megan Morris posted a team-best 20 digs to go along with a pair of assists and a service ace. 

- Alyssa Snyder racked up 43 assists and added 10 digs and two block assists. 

- Olivia Koicuba recorded a match-high four service aces to go along with 16 digs.  

- Corrinne Cook had 11 digs, while Julia Choe added eight of her own. 

- Tori Henderson tallied eight kills and Tiniira Tubo had six, with Tubo adding two block assists and a solo block. 

WHO'S NEXT? 

The Lions open conference play when they take part in tri-match play against Penn State Berks and Wells on Saturday afternoon, Oct. 9. 

STAY CONNECTED 

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