Lady Lions Come up Short in First Round of USCAA National Tournament

By: Matylda Zamudio

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va.— After making program history by earning a spot for the first time in the USCAA National Tournament, the Penn State Beaver women's volleyball team lost in a close 3-2 match to the University of Cincinnati Clermont in round one of the tournament on Thursday.

While Cincinnati Clermont jumped out ahead by taking the first set 25-12, Beaver bounced back and pulled away with a close 25-23 win in the second set. But Cincinnati Clermont answered right back and took set three, 25-14. Down 2-1, the Lady Lions showed grit and rallied back by forcing a fifth set thanks to another close-set win in the fourth, 25-20. While the teams were neck-to-neck in the fifth, Beaver ultimately lost by 4 points (15-11) and took a 3-2 loss in the match.

Inside the box

Freshman Priscilla Medal (Naples/Lorenzo Walker Tech) led the team in kills with (7) followed by senior Amanda Mike (Hopewell) and freshman Mine' Okoloko (Boca Raton/NMH), who each contributed (6) kills apiece.

Sophomore Kelsie Hallum (Hopewell) led the team in assists with 23 and finished with one ace and two digs.

On defense, sophomore Heaven Bowman (Houston/Dulles) led the team with (8) digs and finished with two aces. Sophomore Maria Slater (Houston/Elsik) led the team in blocks with (3) and finished with (4) kills and one dig.

Despite the final result of the match, the Lady Lions made history by securing a spot in the tournament. Beaver now has a 19-11 record overall for the season and will play against Penn State Greater Allegheny tomorrow, Nov. 8, at 9:30 a.m.