ELIZABETH, Pa- The Penn State Greater Allegheny women's volleyball team kicked off its 2012 season by going 2-1 on the first day of the USCAA Tip-Off Classic. The ladies fought back from behind to defeat Penn State New Kensington 2-1 (16-25, 25-15, 26-24), swept Southern State Community College 2-0 (25-18, 25-19), then fell to Rochester College 2-0 (16-25, 12-25).
After falling in their first set against New Kensington, the Greater Allegheny women found themselves quickly behind 3-0 in the second set. An 8-1 scoring run, capped by a kill from sophomore Alyssa Finocchi (Baldwin, PA), vaulted GA in front, 8-4. New Kensington would battle back, tying the set at 12-12. Greater Allegheny struck back with another scoring run, and quickly led 21-13 following a kill from Finocchi. The GA women earned their last four points, winning the set 25-15.
The third set would turn out to be a back-and-forth battle, with the teams tying twelve different times, including 24-24 late in the match. Greater Allegheny would still grind out the win, 26-24, clinching the match.
Alyssa Finocchi led GA with 8 kills, while adding 5 service aces. Freshman Erin Osiecki (McDowell, PA) also turned in a strong match, drilling 6 kills. Junior Helena Vasser (Schenley, PA) had a strong game defensively, contributing 7 digs.
In their second match of the day, Greater Allegheny would jump out to an early 8-4 lead in set 1, forcing a time out by Southern State CC. Back-to-back service aces from sophomore Christina Floyd (St. John Neumann, PA) extended the lead to 16-7, as GA would cruise to a 25-19 victory.
The second set would be hotly contested, as the two teams exchanged the lead eight separate times. Greater Allegheny finally drew ahead 18-16, following two straight service aces from Floyd. The ladies would end the set on a 7-2 run, winning 25-18. GA swept the match 2-0.
Christina Floyd downed 2 kills, while adding 5 service aces, with freshman Haley Worden (Madonna, PA) contributing 9 assists.
In the final match of the day for the women, they were abruptly swept 2-0, by Rochester College. A close first set saw GA trailing just 18-14 late, before falling 25-16. The second set was further distanced, as the Rochester College women cruised to a 25-12 win.
Alyssa Finocchi knocked 3 kills, while retrieving 14 service receptions. Sophomore Corinne Wilson (Bethel Park, PA) and Erin Osiecki each added 1 kill.
After a successful first day of the season, the Greater Allegheny women stand with an overall record of 2-1. They will return to Tip-Off action tomorrow morning, as they take on UC-Clermont at 9 AM. The ladies then follow up with a place game at 10:45 AM.
