McKeesport, PA. – The Penn State Greater Allegheny Volleyball team (2-4, 1-0) secured their second straight sweep when they defeated Kent State Tuscarawas (0-3, 0-0) 3-0 on Friday. They were able to play from behind effectively once again and came back in two of the three sets helping them secure the win.
PSUGA fell behind early in the first set 5-2, but were able to battle back and take an 11-8 lead. Then the offense took over scoring 18 of the final 22 set points to take a 25-12 set win and start off the match leading 1-0. KSU-Tuscarawas would get their first momentum swing of the day taking control early in the second set.
The Golden Eagles would jump out to a 15-5 lead before head coach Alyssa Finocchi would call a timeout to help her girls regroup. The girls would do just that when Seiblesierra Ili (Barstow, CA./Barstow HS) came to the serving line. She got her team back to within five knocking off six straight serves to make the score 15-11.
PSUGA continued to battle throughout the set and completed their largest set comeback of the season as Sueriah Timsah (Mesquite, TX./West Mesquite HS) helped PSUGA secure the final four points and the 25-23 set victory. KSU-Tuscarawas kept fighting throughout the night and brought it down to the wire in the final set.
PSUGA fell behind early once again but battled all the way back to a 24-24 tie in the late going of the third set, Juliana Brill (Mount Jackson, VA./Stonewall Jackson HS) started the rally that tied the game and then ended it knocking off four straight serves as PSUGA picked up the set win and completed the sweep 26-24.
Alix Ellis (Derry, PA./Derry Area HS) continued her offensive success leading the team with nine kills in 24 total attack opportunities. Timsah and Samantha Snashell (Buffalo, NY./Center School for Applied Technology) finished right behind Ellis with six kills each on the day. Ili and Kimmy Tinker (Ewing, IL, Benton Consolidated HS) led the defensive side of the ball with 11 digs a piece in the match.
PSUGA continues to play well when they are behind in sets. They have fallen behind in each of their last six sets, but were able to work their way back and win each of those sets. They are now 2-1 on their home court and have won seven of their last 10 sets spanning over their last three games.
PSUGA will have one final test before they head into Penn State University Athletic Conference play when they take on Point Park on Monday at 7 p.m.
