PHOENIXVILLE, PA - Penn State Berks swept the University of Valley Forge in straight sets, 25-14, 25-15, 25-12, in their regular season finale on Saturday, November 1 at the University of Valley Forge Gymnasium. The Nittany Lions dominated with 31 kills and 10 service aces, overpowering their opponents' defense.

Berks started the first set with a solid performance. After a brief exchange of points, the visiting team gained momentum with a service ace from Madelyn Caris, followed by a series of scoring plays, including kills from Julia Zaprazny and Emily Snader. This sequence contributed to a mid-set lead, 8-6. Building on this advantage, the Nittany Lions continued to capitalize on opportunities, extending their lead with additional service aces by Gabryella Maney and Caris. The team maintained pressure on their foes, closing the set with a decisive 25-14 victory.

The Nittany Lions capitalized on Valley Forge errors early in the second set, quickly turning a 2-0 deficit into a 5-2 advantage. Libby Swoyer and Emily Snader then combined effectively, with Snader recording three key kills that helped Berks maintain their momentum and extend the lead to 11-9. Valley Forge attempted to close the gap with a series of points led by Issy Davila, but the Nittany Lions responded with decisive attacks from Marissa Bailey and Oceana Tirado. A strong finish by the visitors, aided by additional setting errors from their opponents, secured a 25-15 victory, closing the set with a commanding lead.

The third set began with Valley Forge gaining an early 3-0 lead, taking advantage of attack errors from the Nittany Lions. Snader then put her team on the board with a kill. The set shifted momentum as Swoyer set up Caris to bring the score to 3-4, and a series of errors from Valley Forge allowed the Nittany Lions to even the score at 5-5. The travelers took control with a significant run, highlighted by kills from Ella Griffiths and service aces from Snader and Mackenzie Davis. This run extended their lead to 20-9, as Valley Forge struggled with setting errors. Penn St.-Berks maintained their advantage through solid play, with Snader contributing key kills. The set concluded with Penn St.-Berks closing out the set 25-12, following another kill by Snader, ensuring a decisive end to the set and reflecting their dominant performance.

Snader recorded eight kills on 16 attempts, contributing significantly to the team's offensive output. Swoyer led in assists with 18 and added two service aces, demonstrating her playmaking abilities. Davis anchored the defense with a team-high 16 digs, providing crucial support in the back row. Caris served three aces and collected four digs, showcasing her versatility on the court.

WHO'S NEXT
Berks will now begin play in the United East Championship Tournament, traveling to face #8 Cedar Crest College in the First Round on Wednesday, November 5. 

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