PSUAC Volleyball Championship Preview: All Games to Be Broadcast Live

 UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Penn State University Athletic Conference Volleyball semifinals are set for first serve on Monday, October 28th in Recreation Hall on the University Park campus. All four teams that have advanced were the number one or two seed in their division, as no upsets occurred in the quarterfinals on Thursday.

Penn State Fayette, the West's top seed, looks to repeat as champions as they will play the nightcap on Monday. They'll be challenged first by Penn State Brandywine, the number two seed from the East. The other match-up features last year's runner-up, West number two seed Penn State Beaver, and the East's top finisher Penn State Schuylkill. 

The first game on Monday begins at 5:00 p.m., with the second match to follow. Championship day will feature a 6:00 p.m. start time. All games will be broadcast live here.

East #1 Penn State Schuylkill (15-8, 11-1 PSUAC) vs. West #2 Penn State Beaver (18-9, 8-4 PSUAC), 5:00 p.m.

Despite a mid-season coaching change, Beaver has continued to impress. The Lions look to build upon their surprise runner-up finish from a year ago, as a now experienced roster looks to capture the conference crown. Meanwhile, Schuylkill's resurgence to the top of the standings follows last season where they were knocked out of the playoffs in the first round.

The Lions are led by Heaven Bowman who leads the PSUAC with more than 500 digs on the year. The offensive attack goes through setter Kelsie Hallum, who is first in the PSUAC with 7.62 assists per set. Senior Amanda Mike leads Beaver with 240 kills, while Ramiya White has added 177 on the season.

Schuylkill finished undefeated on their home court and is led by Noel Kaufman, who tallied nearly 3.5 kills per set. Chloe Readinger was second in the PSUAC in hitting percentage at .325, with Kaufman barely behind at .324. Emma Nace led the team in digs and was second in assists for the East champs.

Beaver topped Schuylkill 3-0 in the PSUAC Crossover in late September.

West #1 Penn State Fayette (24-3, 11-1 PSUAC) vs. East #2 Penn State Brandywine (13-14, 11-1 PSUAC), 7:00 p.m.

Penn State Fayette has had a near monopoly on the PSUAC Volleyball Championship trophy, winning 11 of the last 14 championships. Two of those three other championships were won by--wait for it--Penn State Brandywine, including the 2015 and 2017 crowns.

Brandywine advanced to the semifinals for the eighth straight season, and will match-up with Fayette for the fifth time in seven seasons. Four of those occurred in the title game, where the teams split championships, 2-2.

Fayette is led by Siteri Tale with 279 kills. Setter Jadyn Barnish has dished out 441 assists, while Machaela Hall leads the defense with 365 digs. Brandywine's attack is balanced as four players have tallied 100 or more kills, with a fifth set to reach the century mark with her next point. Hannah Sarafinas and Brandi James each have 131 kills, while Gianna Anthony and James have 291 and 233 digs, respectively.

FAN INFORMATION

• Doors will open one hour prior to the first scheduled match of the evening. Fans should enter Rec Hall at the main entrance near the corner of Burrowes Rd. and Curtin Rd.
• Parking is available in the Nittany Parking Deck, which is located adjacent to the Nittany Lion Inn on Fischer Rd., approximately 100 yards from Rec Hall.
  • After 5:00 p.m., parking is also available in the Red A lot off Atherton St., directly across from Rec Hall.
• Concessions will NOT be available in Rec Hall. Fans are allowed to bring in snacks and non-alcoholic beverages. Vending machines are also available on the lowest level of Rec Hall.