McKeesport, PA. – The Penn State Greater Allegheny Volleyball Team (2-8, 1-3) continue their stretch of four games in seven days when they go on the road to face Penn State New Kensington (1-6, 0-4) on Tuesday at 7 p.m. PSUGA is currently trying to snap a three-game losing streak that has seen them go from the top of the Penn State University Athletic Conference West Division to fifth as they race for a playoff spot.
Their last time out they fell to PSU-Fayette three sets to nothing inside the Wunderly Gymnasium. Fayette rallied to take the first two sets by scores of 25-13 and 25-12. PSUGA found themselves having to rally back and fought in the third set to come back from down 18-14 to take the lead late in the set 20-19. PSUGA almost had enough to overtake Fayette getting the score to 24-23 but Fayette was able to get the final point and take the set 25-23.
Alix Ellis (Derry, PA./Derry Area HS) continued her strong 2018 campaign with a team leading nine kills in 29 total attack opportunities. Kimmy Tinker (Ewing, IL./Benton Consolidated HS) led the defense with 12 digs and Seiblesierra Ili (Barstow, CA./Barstow HS) had a team leading 16 assists in the game.
Sophomore Kaylee Holtzman (McKeesport, PA./McKeesport HS) has been a bright spot during the current four game slide finding her offensive groove. Over the last four games, Holtzman has combined for 20 kills on 84 total attack opportunities good for a .238 hitting percentage. With Holtzman joining Ellis and sophomore Sueriah Timsah (Mesquite, TX./West Mesquite HS) on the attack, PSUGA has three reliable hitters who can all score points.
PSU-New Kensington enters Tuesday’s match on a down slope of their own having gotten swept in each of their last five matches. PSU-New Ken fell behind early 25-12 in the first set before fighting to a 26-24 loss in set two. However, PSU-Beaver got the momentum back and made quick work of New Kensington with a 25-15 win in the final set to sweep the match. PSU-New Kensington is looking for their first set win since September 8th against Westmoreland County Community College.
PSUGA has had success against PSU-New Kensington in the past with an 11-4 record all-time. Last season, they fell in both of their meetings with PSU-New Kensington by scores of 3-0 and 3-1. Their lone set win against New Kensington came at home when they lost 3-1 inside the Wunderly Gymnasium a year ago.
Tip-off for tomorrow’s game against PSU-New Kensington is scheduled for 7 p.m. on the campus of PSU-New Kensington.
