READING, Pa. – The Penn State Berks volleyball team opened its 2024 season at Alvernia on Thursday night, falling in straight sets to the Golden Wolves in non-conference crosstown action. Alvernia took the match 25-5, 25-21 and 25-19.

The Nittany Lions were led on offense by Diana Stolzfus with eight kills and two aces. Emily Snader hit .375 with three kills. Jordan Thompson and Madelyn Caris also had three kills apiece.

In game two, Berks took a 5-2 lead thanks to two kills from Stolzfus and one from Makenzie Shoop. Snader added a kill to make it 7-3, as well. The lead got as big as five at 10-5, but Alvernia took control of the game in the midpoint with a 7-0 run to take a 20-15 lead.

In game three, Berks dug out of a 7-0 hole to make the set 12-10 Alvernia with five consecutive points. Caris had two kills in that run, joining a kill from Snader and an ace from Libby Swoyer.

Jordan Thompson brought it to 15-14 Alvernia with a kill later in the set, and it was also 21-18 Alvernia after another Thompson kill. The Golden Wolves managed to put the set and match away following that mini-run, though.

The Nittany Lions return to action on Tuesday night at Lebanon Valley.