New Kensington, Pa. – The Penn State Greater Allegheny Volleyball team (8-12, 6-9) dropped a crucial game on Wednesday as they fell to Penn State New Kensington (7-12, 6-9) three sets to nothing. With the loss, PSUGA has now been eliminated from Penn State University Athletic Conference playoff contention.
All three sets of this match were close but, in the end, PSUGA just did not have enough in the tank to pull out the victory. They dropped the three sets by scores of 25-20, 26-24, and 25-19. The second set was back and forth, however, it would be New Kensington that got the final point and picked up the big win to take a 2-0 lead into the final set. They would ultimately use the momentum from that set to win the match.
Laura Vazquez Diaz (San Juan, Puerto Rico/Cupey Maria Montessori) lead the offense with a team high 36 total attack opportunities and was second with seven kills. Hayley Maksin (Port Vue, Pa./South Allegheny) lead PSUGA in digs with 16 on the night and Kaylee Holtzman (McKeesport, Pa./McKeesport) had a team high eight kills in the contest while registering 34 total attack opportunities.
The loss dropped PSUGA to 6-9 in conference play and has officially eliminated them from PSUAC playoff contention. They would have needed to win each of their last two games and would have needed help from PSU-Lehigh Valley and PSU-Schuylkill in order to obtain a spot.
PSUGA will now turn their attention to their 2017/18 finale when they will face Penn State Fayette at home on Monday October 23rd inside the Wunderly Gymnasium. It will be senior night as Laura Vazquez Diaz will be honored for her four years at PSUGA and all she has contributed to the volleyball program.
The match against Penn State Fayette is slated to start at 7 p.m. Come out and support PSUGA Volleyball as they wrap up their 2017/18 season.
