MEADVILLE, Pa. – The Allegheny volleyball team fell behind 2-0 in a nonconference game against Geneva Saturday (Sept. 23) in Meadville, but the Gators battled back and won the bout in a dramatic five sets (16-25, 19-25, 26-24, 25-12, 15-10).
The Gators jumped out to an early 6-1 lead in the first set. Geneva would fight back and tie the game. Knotted at 16, the Golden Tornadoes ended the set on a big run, moving ahead in the match 1-0.
Geneva had a 12-7 lead in the second set, but the Gators fought back with a 5-0 run to tie it. The swings continued as Geneva rattled off a 7-0 run before the Gators responded with another 5-0 run to bring the score to 19-17 Geneva. However, Geneva allowed just two Gator points the rest of the way to take the set.
It appeared that Geneva was going to wrap-up the win in the third set with a 24-21, but the Gators did not back down as they went on a 5-0 run.
Dagney Javes (Frederick, Colo./Dawson School) had a pair of kills in the run before
Duru Akbas (Ankara, Turkey/Layton Christian Academy (Utah)) closed it out with an ace, 26-24.
The momentum gained from the third set run carried over to the fourth set. The Gators got out of the gates fast, amassing a 13-6 lead midway through. A 6-0 run closed out the set as they won it 25-12 to force a deciding fifth set.
The Gators once again got off to a good start in the final set, taking a 9-3 lead. Geneva would fight back, but the match ended on an
Elizabeth Lubold (Indiana, Pa./Indiana Area) kill to give the Gators the victory.
Inside the Box
- Javes led the Gators with a career-high 24 kills. Her hitting percentage of .537 was the second highest total for a Gator in a five-set match. She also added three blocks.
- Angelee Bawek (Goodyear, Ariz./Estrella Foothills) finished with 10 kills and 11 digs.
- Emma Chambers (Stoutsville, Ohio/Amanda Clearcreek) had 10 kills.
- Lubold tied a career-high with six kills.
- Meagan Robare (Moon Township, Pa./Moon Area) and Leah Ungashick (Akron, Ohio/Coventry) produced season-hights with 24 and 16 assists, respectively. Ungashick added 11 digs as well.
- Jacy Diaz (Barranquitas, Puerto Rico/Gallatin (Tenn.)) led the team with 21 digs.
- Akbas had 13 digs to go with four aces.
- Alejandra Fernandez (Caguas, Puerto Rico/Commonwealth Parkville) also had 13 digs.
News and Notes
- Allegheny is now 11-5 on the season.
- All-time, the Gators are now 11-8 against the Golden Tornadoes.
- Javes hitting percentage of .537 was the second highest mark in a five-set match for a Gator. Her 24 kills were a career-high.
- Lubold tied a career-high with six kills.
Up Next
The Gators are on the road Wednesday (Sept. 27) as they travel to Hiram.