McKeesport, PA. - The Penn State Greater Allegheny Volleyball team (3-6, 2-1) scored a big Penn State University Conference win against Penn State Dubois (2-8, 1-2) 3-1 on Wednesday night. Despite there top attacker being held at bay, PSUGA got contributions from everyone as they went above .500 in conference play.
It was thanks to a fast start that PSUGA got the momentum early in the match. The first set of the night saw the two teams go back and forth trading the first 14 points of the night. Things would stay close throughout the set, but PSUGA would come away with a 25-23 win to get the ahead 1-0 on the night.
It was the first time in the last four games that PSUGA won the first set of a match giving them the momentum early on. After not having to play from behind, PSIGA used the momentum to power them through the rest of the match.
In the second set, PSUGA flexed their offensive muscles getting out to an early lead behind the power of Sueriah Timsah's (Mesquite, TX./West Mesquite HS) four kills. PSUGA would never look bag and rode the momentum to a 25-15 set win. However, PSU-DuBois fought back in set three to keep themselves alive with a 27-25 win.
PSUGA would end things in the fourth set taking the lead on a run late in the set and holding on for a 25-17 win. They took the match 3-1 and moved to 2-1 in PSUAC play as they continue to chase a spot in the PSUAC Playoff tournament.
Timsah stepped up throughout the night leading the team with 11 kills on 18 total attacks for a team high .500 hitting percentage. Alix Ellis (Derry, PA./Derry Area HS) and Alexa Martell (Elizabeth, PA./Elizabeth Forward HS) added six kills each while Juliana Brill (Mount Jackson, VA./Stonewall Jackson HS) led the defense with 15 digs.
With the win, PSUGA remains in a tie for third place in the PSUAC West Division with PSU-Beaver. Both teams sit at 2-1 in conference play setting up a fight for positioning early in the season. With the top four spots in each division making the tournament, the battle for positioning starts now as PSUGA chases their first PSUAC playoff spot since 2014.
The win sets up a big match-up for Saturday when PSUGA hosts PSU-Beaver inside the Wunderley Gym. Doors open at 1 p.m. followed by tip-off at 2 p.m.