PS Fayette Tops Beaver in Conference Battle

By Noelle Miloszewski

Monaca, PA - On Tuesday, Sept. 22, the Penn State Beaver Lady Lions volleyball team battled for first place in the PSUAC but lost to Penn State Fayette, 3-2.

Beaver earned the game's first point when freshman Michelle Fegan (Quigley Catholic High School, Conway, PA) blocked a Fayette attempt. Soon after, junior Heather Sandusky (New Brighton High School, New Brighton, PA) launched a powerful spike with the assistance of senior Jen Hain (Northgate High School, Pittsburgh, PA.) Beaver remained strong, never letting its opponent create a significant lead. With Fayette leading 21-22, Beaver freshman Daina Owens (Farrell High School, New Castle, PA ) tied it up with a strong kill followed by a kill by Sandusky that tied the game 24-24. Beaver quickly stole two points to win the set, 26-24.

The beginning of the second set again started out with a block by Fegan. Beaver didn't allow any easy points for Fayette, and at one point returned three kills before Fayette scored. With Beaver down 13-15, Owens, with the help of her team, earned three straight kills to create a 16-15 lead. Although the remainder of the set was well fought, Fayette took the set 25-19.

The third set was similar to the second. The Lions went on a 5-0 run, but eventually Fayette worked its way back into the game. From then on, both teams battled back and forth until Beaver lost, 18-25.

In the fourth set, Beaver kept within close range of Fayette but didn't gain its first lead until sophomore Liz Hain (Northgate High School, Pittsburgh, PA) blocked and returned a Fayette attempt which fueled a 5-0 run (15-14). The Lions stayed consistent and communicated well and won the set, 25-23.

Neither team gained a lead of more than three points throughout the last set. Down by two at 13-11, Beaver's Sandusky launched another kill that created one point, but Fayette stole a quick point. Beaver lost the set, 15-12.

Beaver is 7-1 in the PSUAC and 7-7 overall. At 2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 26, Beaver will host Penn State Mont Alto and Penn State York.