MEADVILLE, Pa.—The Allegheny College volleyball team fell in non-conference play to Penn State Behrend in straight sets at home Thursday (Oct. 4).
The Lions won the sets 25-13, 25-15 and 25-17.
After an even start early on, the Lions jumped out to a 10-5 lead as the Gators called timeout. Following the timeout, the lead increased to 17-8, which lead to the Gators' second timeout. The Gators made a push following the second timeout, but ultimately fell 25-13 in the set.
Grace Lengauer and
Alysha Crowther had three kills apiece in the opening set while
Rachel Slotterback and
Rebecca MacQuarrie had four digs each.
The Lions owned an 8-5 lead in the second set before a 3-1 Gator run dropped the advantage to just one. However, the Lions recovered to go on a 5-2 run, leading to a Gator timeout. The Lions continued to play well after the timeout, pushing the lead to 18-12 before a second timeout. The Lions closed out the set on a 7-3 run to move ahead 2-0.
Olivia D'Andrea had three kills in the second set to go alongside three digs.
The lions jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the third, but the Gators fought back to take the lead at 9-8. After a Lion timeout, Penn State started to come back, going on a 7-2 run to take a 15-11 lead. The Gators would bring the game within three points at 19-16, but the Lions closed on a 6-1 run to secure the non-conference win.
Crowther led the Gators with seven kills on the night. Lengauer finished with five while D'Andrea tallied four. D'Andrea also had 11 assists.
D'Andrea also led the Gator defense with 12 digs, while Slotterback finished with 10.
Jyl Russotti had a pair of solo blocks.
The Lions were led by Lexi Irwin's 11 kills and 26 assists. Madison Clapper had 15 digs.
The Gators return to North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) action Saturday (Oct. 6) when they travel to fifth-ranked Wittenberg University.
