Brandywine Falls In PSUAC Quarterfinals

HAZLETON, Pa. – The Penn State Brandywine volleyball team saw its 2023 season come to an end in the Penn State University Athletic Conference Tournament quarterfinals as the third-seeded Lions dropped a 3-1 decision (25-18, 18-25, 25-22, 25-21) at second-seeded Penn State Hazleton Tuesday night.

The Lions held an 8-6 first-set lead, but Hazleton scored 16 of the next 19 points to jump ahead 22-11. Brandywine closed within six following a 7-2 run, but a kill from Hazleton gave the opening frame to the hosts.

Brandywine evened the match by rallying to win the second frame. Hazleton scored six of the first seven points and led 10-3 before a 7-0 run, aided by kills from Amanda Floyd (Glenolden, Pa./Interboro) and Sydney Terrell (Walkersville, Md./St. John's Catholic Prep), along with an Anna Ramirez (Exton, Pa./Downingtown East) ace, knotted the count at 10-all. The Lions took their first lead at 15-14 when Lexie Berry (Brookhaven, Pa./Daegu) set down a kill and would run away with the set, netting five of the final six points.

The third period was the most closely contested of the night, featuring 11 tie scores throughout the frame. Brandywine built its largest lead of the set following kills from Floyd and Sophie Scrivo (Chester, Conn./Valley Regional) at 20-17, but Hazleton battled back with the next three points. A Hazleton error allowed the Lions to retake a one-point edge; however, Hazleton responded with four-straight points and was able to take a 2-1 lead following a kill from Nora Jones.

The hosts seized control early in the fourth set, opening up a 15-4 lead. Brandywine fought back with a 10-1 surge, capped off by Laura Jezyk's (Wilmington, Del./St. Elizabeth) ace that brought the score to 16-14. Brandywine later narrowed the margin to one after a Floyd kill, but Hazleton answered with the next three points to thwart the Lions' comeback bid.

Floyd led the Lions with 14 kills, while Ramirez tallied seven and Terrell notched six. Jezyk produced a season-best 32 assists and topped the team with three service aces.

Five Lions recorded double-figure digs, paced by Sydney Stevens' (Wilmington, Del./Alexis I. DuPont) 18. Jezyk added 13 digs, while Scrivo and Terrell both collected 11 and Ramirez added 10.

Brandywine closed out its season with a record of 12-8 after competing in the postseason for the 13^th-straight year.