Lady Lions Snare Redhawks, in First Win of the Season

September 6, 2011

Monaca, PA - The Lady Lions defeated the Lady Redhawks (Pittsburgh, PA) today in a five set thriller. The Lady Lions took the set 3-2 in their first win of the season. Beaver improves their record to 1-4 overall, (0-0 PSUAC).

In the first set, Beaver found themelves in an 8-0 hole from the start. However, Beaver showed signs of what was yet to come as they picked up play. Jenn Fannin (Harbor Creek/Erie, PA) recorded a kill and Kayona Ward (Beaver Falls/Beaver Falls, PA) had a block that kept the Lady Lions in the match. Nevertheless, LaRoche eventually took a commanding 17-6 lead late in the set and took the set with a 25-14 victory.

The second set was the closest of the night. Beaver started on a 6-2 run, which included a Natalie Gamble (Sto-Rox/Mckees Rocks,PA) kill at the net. The Lady Redhawks did make a run of their own, and took a 9-8 lead. However, a Gina Richman (Union/Edinburgh,PA) ace pushed Beaver to a two point advantage midway through the set. After LaRoche tied the game at 17 points each, the Lady Lions won eight out the last eleven set points to take the set.

In the third set, Beaver went on top early 7-4, but lost their lead on service errors. The Lady Redhawks then went on a seven point run that swayed the set in their favor, as they lead 14-7. Kills by Amanda Palombo (Quigley/Aliquippa,PA) and Ella Epps (Penn Hills/Pittsburgh,PA) helped the Lady Lions but they still fell short in a 25-14 loss.

Trailing two sets to one, Beaver came out motivated in the fourth set, taking a 10-7 advantage. Richman lead a five point rally as she recorded five consecutive service points for the Lady Lions. The Lady Lions looked in tune, as Epps and Ward both provide aces that helped push Beaver's lead to 20-10. With five points to go to tie the match up two sets a piece, Rachel Grubbs (Freeport/Sarver,PA) had a block and Ward sealed the deal with a kill at the end of the match.

The fifth and deciding set was dominated by Beaver. The Lady Lions took a 6-0 lead that caused the LaRoche to call an timeout. The Lady Lions kept up on the attack and pushed their lead to a commanding 13-5 advantage. The Lady Redhawks stretched the game as long as they could with a quick three point run, but Beaver would not be denied as they took the set 15-8, and the match 3-2.

The team was lead by Gamble and Ward who each had 10 kills, while Grubbs and Richman led the team in assists with 17 and 8 respectively. Grubbs (12), Epps (5), Gamble (4) and Ward (4) were the team leaders in digs.

The Lady Lions with be in action Wednesday, September 14, 2011 at 7 p.m. for their first road contest and first conference match of the year at Penn State DuBois (DuBois, PA).