ALLENTOWN, PA- The Penn St. Berks Women's Volleyball Team could not complete a late rally, falling to Cedar Crest College in five sets on Saturday, October 12. The Lions fell by set scores of 18-25, 25-18, 20-25, 25-16, 15-17.

The Lions (4-11 Overall, 1-3 UEC) got off to a slow start, dropping the opening set of the match, but looked to rebound in the second set. Jordan Thompson jump started the offense with a thunderous kill that sparked a 6-0 run allowing Berks to take a 7-4 lead. Later in the set, back-to-back kills by Makenzie Shoop and Diana Stoltzfus pushed the Lions to a 19-15 advantage. The Blue & White closed out the set on a 6-1 run with a Shoop service ace leveling the match at one set apiece.

The Falcons (7-12 Overall, 2-2 UEC) responded overcoming a deficit midway through the set, to rally back and take a 2-1 lead in the match. The Lions trailed early in the fourth set, but Stoltzfus hammered down a pair of kills to remain within striking distance. Madelyn Caris started a 6-0 that featured a pair of service aces by Stoltzfus. Katelyn Williams helped stretch the lead with two kills and then a service ace that made the score 18-11. Berks capitalized on a pair of Cedar Crest hitting errors to close out the set and send the match to a decisive fifth set.

Berks got off to a strong start in fifth set, building a 9-4 advantage after two more kills by Stoltzfus. The Falcons rallied back, using a 7-0 run to take a 14-12 lead. Williams and Thompson recorded a pair of clutch kills to send the set into a win-by-two situation. The Lions could not complete the comeback, eventually falling 17-15.

Williams led the Lions in kills, finishing the match with a double-double posting 14 kills and 16 digs. Shoop also recorded a double-double finishing with 11 kills and 14 digs. Stoltzfus stuffed the stat sheet, posting 12 kills, 20 digs and five service aces. Tarynn Coldren also finished the match with a double-double, recording 19 assists and 10 digs. Libby Swoyer had a strong setting performance, recording a team-high 24 assists.

WHO'S NEXT 

The Lions will be back in action when they travel to face Saint Elizabeth University in a United East match up on Tuesday, Oct. 15. The match is scheduled to start at 7:00 PM.  

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Fans can keep up with Penn St. Berks Athletics all season long on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube using the handle @BerksAthletics.