Lady Lions Sweeps York

September 24, 2011

Monaca, PA - The Penn State Beaver Lady Lions (4-6, 3-1 PSUAC) upended Penn State York (York, PA), 3-0 (25-21, 25-14, 25-23) in the first of two matches on the day.

The first set was a see-saw affair, with six ties and six lead changes. Beaver got off on the right foot as freshman Natalie Gamble (Sto-Rox/McKees Rocks, PA) had a kill to give Beaver a 3-1 advantage. York tied the set up at five, and took a two point lead before Beaver's Rachel Grubbs (Freeport/Sarver, PA) cut the lead to 7-6. Beaver stayed close and then gained a 14-12 lead on consecutive kills by Gamble.

Things looked bleak as York held a 19-17 lead, however, Beaver rallied to tie the set up at 19 and five of the next seven set points to win the first set by a 25-21 margin.

The second set, was a different story as Beaver dominated York throughout. Beaver led by as many as 12 points on three different occasions, as they rolled to a 25-14 set win.

The third set was much like the first as the match saw three ties during its course. However, York never managed to take the lead although Beaver never held more than a three point lead. Grubbs, Gamble, Jenn Fannin (Harbor Creek/Erie, PA), and Kayona Ward (Beaver Falls/Beaver Falls, PA), each recorded blocks to pace Beaver, as they held on for a 25-23 set win and a 3-0 match victory.

For the match, Grubbs led Beaver with 11 kills and 16 assists. Ward and Amanda Palombo (Quigley Catholic/Aliquippa, PA) each had 1 block, while Palombo and Gamble were tied with the team lead with 4 digs apiece. Freshman Ella Epps (Penn Hills/Pittsburgh, PA) added 3 aces on the day.

Beaver returns to action later today as they host Penn State Mont Alto in the second match of the quad match at 2 p.m. hosted at Penn State Beaver.