Lady Lions Drop First Contest of the 2011 Season
Lady Lions Struggle to Find Rythmn, Fall in Straight Sets
August 26, 2011
Monaca, PA - The Penn State Beaver Lady Lions (0-1, 0-0 PSUAC) dropped a straight set match as they took the court first time this season against USCAA rival University of Cincinnati (OH) Clermont Cougars.
Beaver was no match for Clermont as they dropped the first set 25-9.
However, in the second set, Beaver rallied as they found themselves down 16-8. Freshman Ellas Epps (Penn Hills/Pittsburgh, PA) held serve for six consecutive points as the Lady Lions attempted to gain the lead from the Cougars. Epps' back corner placement over the outstretched hands of the Clermont defense sparked the rally. However, with the set at 16-14, Beaver has a few unforced errors that gave Clermont all it needed to secure the win. Clermont outscored Beaver 9-3 over the next twelve points to take the set, 25-17.
In the third set, Beaver jumped out to a 3-1 lead, its largests of the day. However, that lead evaporated quickly as Clermont tallied the next six points, giving them a 6-4 lead that they would never relinquish. With Clermont leading 9-4, Beaver's Candace Emanuel (Greensburg Central Catholic/Murrysville, PA) notched a kill to the back right corner to cut the lead 9-5. However, UC Clermont took control of the set by scoring the next eight points to put the game out of reach, as they won the set 25-12 and the match 3-0.
For Beaver, Rachel Grubbs (Freeport/Sarver, PA) and Jenn Fannin (Harbor Creek/Erie, PA) led the team with 3 kills each and Grubbs also led the Lady Lions with 3 assists in the match.
Beaver will face Ohio State Marion at 8pm later this evening in the second game of pool play in the 2011 Penn State Beaver/USCAA Volleyball Tournament.
