McKeesport, Pa. - The Penn State Greater Allegheny Lion volleyball program split a pair of contests at home in the Wunderley Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon. Greater Allegheny fell to Penn State Brandywine 0-3 before winning over Penn State Schuylkill, 3-0.
In the first contest, the Lions came up short against Penn State Brandywine (25-14, 25-22, 25-15). During the game, junior Alyssa Finocchi (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin) led the way offensively as she totaled eight kills and 18 attacks. Sophomore Krystal Waller (Munhall, Pa./Steel Valley) added four kills and 14 attacks. Freshman Adrielle Brisbon (Fort Washington, Md./Friendly) added two service aces and distributed 14 assists.
Defensively, the Lions were able to achieve 33 digs as a team. Finocchi tallied eleven to that score, achieving a double-double alongside her 18 attacks. She also had eight solo blocks during the game.
The Lions kept their heads up as they went onward to the next game over Penn State Schuylkill.
The first set started out tremendously, as Finocchi achieved three aces to swell the lead 6-1. Sophomore Kayla Franklin (Detroit, Mich./Thurston) and Waller both contributed aces to grow the lead to 12-3. Shortly after, junior Christina Floyd (Philadelphia, Pa./St. John Neumann) turned on the ace shower, as she tallied six consecutive aces. Brisbon closed the set on the visiting Lions, as she downed three additional aces, 25-7.
Throughout the second set, the GA Lion drive was lead by Finocchi, Brisbon, Floyd, freshman Brianna Audette (Coatesville, Pa./Coatesville) and freshman Raven Gribbins (Cincinnati, Ohio/Oyler). All these players contributed points to the GA win, 25-11.
In the third match, we saw better competition between the two teams. The beginning of the game was point-for-point until we got toward the end. Floyd tallied three of the last seven points to boost GA. The dynamic duo of Brisbon and Finocchi paired up to put the cap on Schyulkill, 25-18.
Top earners of the game were Finocchi, with 7 kills, 7 digs, 12 attacks and 4 aces, Brisbon with 10 assists and 9 aces, and Floyd with 4 kills, 10 attacks, 7 aces and 2 digs.
Greater Allegheny is back in action Sunday, as they travel to Penn State Fayette. GA is scheduled to play Penn State York at 12 p.m. and Penn State Mont Alto at 2 p.m.
