Abington, Pa.- The Penn St. Berks Women's Volleyball Team battled Penn St. Abington, falling in five sets on Wednesday, Oct. 23. The Lions dropped the match by set scores of 21-25, 25-13, 27-25, 20-25, 14-16.

Berks (6-13 Overall, 2-5 UEC) could not overcome a slow start in the opening set, dropping the set to Abington (18-4 Overall, 5-2 UEC) and falling behind 1-0 in the match. The Lions responded in the second set, getting off to a much better start, holding a 5-2 lead after a kill by Diana Stoltzfus. Berks continued to stretch the advantage, taking a six-point lead off a service ace by Libby Swoyer. The Blue & White took charge of the set, going on a 9-0 run that featured kills by Madelyn Caris, Makenzie Shoop and Stoltzfus. Katelyn Williams but an exclamation point on the set with one last kill that leveled the match at one set a piece.

The Lions continued their momentum into the third set, racing out a 6-2 lead after another kill by Caris. Jordan Thompson recorded a kill and a service ace as part of a 4-0 run that pushed the advantage to six. Berk remained in control of the set with three straight service aces from Tarynn Coldern giving the Lions a 20-14 lead. Abington would not go away, fighting back to level the set at 24, sending the set into a win-by-two situation. After an Abington service error, Emily Snader and Thompson combined on a thunderous block to secure the set victory and a 2-1 match lead.

The Lions built a lead again the fourth set, but Abington used a 10-1 run to rally back and capture the set, sending the match to a fifth set. Both teams traded points early in the fifth set with two kills by Stoltzfus giving Berks a 7-5 lead. The Lions led 14-13 late in the set, but could not hold off Abington, falling in five sets.

Shoop reached an individual milestone, recording her 700^th career kill, finishing the match with 10 kills and 10 digs. Stoltzfus tied for the team lead in kills with 12 and led the team in digs, racking up 27. Thomas also posted 12 digs to go along with five service aces. Williams also recorded a double-double, posting 10 kills and 17 digs. Caris also reached double figures, recording 10 kills. The setting duo of Swoyer and Coldren combined for 46 assists with Coldren leading the way with 28 assists along with 10 digs.

WHO'S NEXT
The Lions will return home to face Penn St. Brandywine on Saturday, Oct. 26 at 1:00 PM. Come early as the Berks will celebrate Senior Day with a ceremony before the game starts.
 
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