Nittany Lions fall to Gallaudet in NEAC title game

BOXSCORE

READING, PA (November 5, 2011) - For the second straight year, Penn State Berks and Gallaudet University met in the North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) Championship. And for the second straight year, Gallaudet emerged as the champion. The teams played in a hard fought battle that went the distance, with the Bison slipping past Berks by a score of 3-2.

The No. 1 seed Nittany Lions defeated No. 5 seed Keuka College, 3-1, earlier in the day in semifinal action, while No. 2 seed Gallaudet won by a 3-0 sweep over No. 3 SUNY IT to set the stage for a championship rematch.

The Bison (27-7) won the opening game by a score of 25-20, but Berks bounced back with a 25-18 win. Gallaudet took the third game, 25-17, but the Nittany Lions matched them with a win by the same score in the fourth game. The Bison played flawless volleyball to win the decisive fifth set by a score of 15-6. It was the first time this season the Nittany Lions played in a five-game set.

Sophomore Amy Shelton, who was named the NEAC Player of the Year, led the Nittany Lions with 14 kills and three solo blocks. She finished the season with 349 kills and 83 total blocks. Shelton tallied 13 kills in the win over Keuka.

Kayla Mosser recorded nine kills and two solo blocks, while Courtney Lucarelli added seven kills. Maria Pavone had six kills and two solo blocks.

The Nittany Lions were kept busy with the relentless Gallaudet offensive attack as four players reached double-digits in digs. Freshman setter Kaitlyn Schmeck, who handed out 24 assists, registered a season-high 16 digs. Lucarelli had 15, Katie Sostak finished with 13 and Steph Semple added 11.

Gallaudet was paced on offense by Ann Whited (18 kills) and Kali Frowlick (17 kills). Frowlick was awarded the NEAC Tournament MVP after finishing with 31 kills, 25 digs and three aces. Paige Johnson added 14 kills and Sarah Tubert recorded 54 assists.

The Nittany Lions finished the season with 22 wins, marking just the second time in program history of 20 or more. In addition to Shelton's Player of the Year Award, Jessie Franko was named the Coach of the Year. Shelton and Victoria Young were first team selections, Schmeck was second team and Mosser was third team.

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Players Mentioned

#13 Steph Semple: DS; 5' 4"; Sophomore

#20 Amy Shelton: MB; 6' 1"; Sophomore

#14 Katie Sostak: DS; 5' 6"; Sophomore

#10 Courtney Lucarelli: OH; 5' 5"; Freshman

#12 Kayla Mosser: MB/RS; 5' 10"; Freshman

#1 Maria Pavone: OH; 5' 7"; Freshman

#2 Kaitlyn Schmeck: S; 5' 4"; Freshman

#15 Victoria Young: L; 5' 1"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#13 Steph Semple
: 5' 4"; Sophomore
: DS

#20 Amy Shelton
: 6' 1"; Sophomore
: MB

#14 Katie Sostak
: 5' 6"; Sophomore
: DS

#10 Courtney Lucarelli
: 5' 5"; Freshman
: OH

#12 Kayla Mosser
: 5' 10"; Freshman
: MB/RS

#1 Maria Pavone
: 5' 7"; Freshman
: OH

#2 Kaitlyn Schmeck
: 5' 4"; Freshman
: S

#15 Victoria Young
: 5' 1"; Freshman
: L