Lions Ousted In Five Sets

DOYLESTOWN, Pa. -- The Penn State Brandywine volleyball team won two of the first three sets, but Delaware Valley rallied to win the final two, edging out the Lions 3-2 on Monday night.

Brandi James (Glenolden, Pa./Interboro) led Brandywine with a season-best 13 kills, while Kira Thorne (Alconbury, England/Alconbury) and Hope Coacher (Ardmore, Pa./Haverford) recorded eight kills and Rikelle Taylor (Nottingham, Pa./Solanco) and Hannah Sarafinas (Downingtown, Pa./Downingtown West) both produced six.

Rebecca Gonzalez (Clearwater, Fla./Washburn Academy) handed out a season-high 35 assists and added eight digs and three kills. Gianna Anthony (Newtown Square, Pa./Sacred Heart Academy) chipped in six helpers, while topping the Lions with four aces and 17 digs.

James and Amanda Floyd (Glenolden, Pa./Interboro) also reached double figures in digs as James tallied 12 and Floyd registered 11. Sarafinas collected seven digs and two blocks.

The teams were all square at 13-13 in the first set, but the Lions coasted to an opening-set victory by scoring 12 of the final 17 points. Anthony set down back-to-back aces to complete at 7-2 spurt that made the Lions' lead 20-15 and a trio of Aggie errors would help Brandywine take the frame.

After DelVal evened the match at 1-1 with a 25-21 second set triumph, Brandywine regained the lead by winning set No. 3, 25-20. Brandywine trailed by four points early in the set, but erupted for 14 of the next 17 points, extending the margin to 15-8 on consecutive aces from James. The Aggies battled back to within two; however, once again the Lions took advantage of DelVal miscues to win the set. Six of Brandywine's final eight points came via DelVal errors.

DelVal charged out to a 19-8 advantage during the fourth set and held off a late Brandywine rally to win the frame 25-20 and send the match to a decisive fifth set.

The Aggies led wire-to-wire in the final stanza, opening up an 8-1 margin before Brandywine got within two at 9-7; however, Delaware Valley scored the next four points and held off the Lions to claim the match.

Brandywine (0-5) faces Penn State Hazleton in its conference opener on Wednesday at 7:00 pm.