Hazleton Volleyball Shines, Earns Four Weekly Awards

See who performed at their best this past week with our Players of the Week! These awards are based on performances for the week ending November 3rd, 2024.

Women’s Soccer Player of the Week 10

Grace Fenstermacher, Penn State Schuylkill

Forward/midfielder Grace Fenstermacher scored four goals as Penn State Schuylkill defeated Penn State Hazleton, 11-2, to reach the PSUAC Championship Game. Fenstermacher is the leading scorer in PSUAC and USCAA for goals scored (21) and points (45).

Women’s Soccer Defender/Goalie of the Week 10

Haley Sypniewski, Penn State Schuylkill

Defender Haley Sypniewski played a big role as Penn Staet Schuylkill limited Penn State Hazleton to just two goals and reached the PSUAC Championship Game. She has started every game for the team this season, with two goals and three assists. She was a second-team all-conference selection last season.

Men’s Soccer Player of the Week 10

Michael Damoah, Penn State Greater Allegheny

Midfielder Michael Damoah scored the game-winning goal off a header to send Penn State Greater Allegheny to the PSUAC Championship Game, where they could earn their first conference championship. For the season, he has four goals and three assists.

Men’s Soccer Defender/Goalie of the Week 10

Chris Klinger, Penn State Greater Allegheny

With a nine-save, shutout victory over Penn State York, Klinger added to his season total of 86 saves and improved his save percentage to 81%. His efforts helped lift Penn State Greater Allegheny to the PSUAC Championship Game. He has been named defender/goalie of the week three times this season.

Women’s Volleyball Player of the Week 10

Kaytlin Kelley, Penn State Hazleton

Kaytlin Kelley led Penn State Hazleton to their first PSUAC title last week, with a 3-1 upset win over Penn State Mont Alto. Kelley dominated the playoffs, getting double-digit kills in the semifinal and championship matches. She also had three block assists in the finals as well. 

With the win, Kaylin Kelley and Penn State Hazleton have an automatic berth in the USCAA Division II National Championship Tournament and play Kent St-Tuscarawas at 2:30 p.m. Nov. 7.

Women’s Volleyball Specialist of the Week 10

Sophia Del Vacchio, Penn State Hazleton

Setter Sophia Del Vacchio was at the forefront of the first volleyball title in program history for Penn State Hazleton. Del Vacchio had 49 assists in the PSUAC Championship Game. Penn State Hazleton received an automatic bid into the 2024 USCAA Volleyball Division II National Championship Tournament. The tournament runs Nov. 7-9 at Penn State Fayette's Community Center. 

Rookie of the Week 10

Claire Riera-Gomez, Penn State Hazleton

Outside hitter Claire Riera-Gomez won PSUAC Rookie of the Week honors for her role in Penn State Hazleton's 3-1 PSUAC Championship Game victory against Penn State Mont Alto. Riera-Gomez notched five straight aces in the third set to help give Hazleton a 2-1 advantage in the match. She added this to seven total aces in the finals and 17 digs during last week's playoff games. Riera-Gomez and Hazleton return to the court for the USCAA Division II National Championship Tournament against Kent State-Tuscarawas at 2:30 p.m. Nov. 7.

Team of the Week 10

Penn State Hazleton Women’s Volleyball

Penn State Hazleton won its first PSUAC conference championship. The 3-1 victory was a come-from-behind effort over defending champion Penn State Mont Alto, which led 1-0. Sydney Mack, Kaytlin Kelley and Sophia Del Vacchio all came in clutch for the Penn State Hazleton, each contributing in their own way. Mack tallied 16 kills with 17 digs while Kelley garnered 12 kills. Vacchio was setting up her teammates, accumulating 49 assists in the victory. Hazleton (16-9) advanced to the USCAA Division II National Championship Tournament against Kent State-Tuscarawas at 2:30 p.m. Nov. 7.