READING — The Penn State Berks women's volleyball team (10-12) competed in non-conference action on Friday, October 23 as they took on Albright College (5-14). Berks was able to earn the sweep over the Lions, winning 3-0 on the night.
The Nittany Lions put the opening set out of reach with
Libby Swoyer serving four straight points from 19-13 to 23-13, a stretch that included her ace and kills by
Shea Leber,
Emily Snader and
Delaney Gote. Earlier, Berks built the first separation behind Swoyer-assisted kills from Snader, Gote,
Ella Griffiths,
Dani Tribbett and Leber, then moved from 9-6 to 12-6 with help from a
Madelyn Caris block and another Gote kill. The Lions worked back to 13-10, but the Blue & White answered with a Tribbett kill and later added consecutive points on Lions setting errors during Tribbett's serve to reach 18-12. Gote added a kill for set point, and
Julia Zaprazny and Snader combined on the closing block as Berks finished the set 25-14.
Berks broke open the second set with a 7-0 run from an 11-11 tie, moving ahead 18-11 behind
Gabryella Maney's six straight service points. Earlier, the teams traded points through a tight opening stretch, with Swoyer starting the set with a service ace and Leber, Gote, Caris and Tribbett adding kills as the Lions continued to answer. The run included a Snader kill, a Gote kill and multiple Lions errors, giving the Nittany Lions control after the set had been even. Berks maintained the margin late with kills from Caris, Gote and Tribbett, then finished the 25-17 set win on a Snader kill.
The Blue & White turned a 19-17 deficit into set point with seven straight points, taking the lead at 20-19 on
Shea Leber's kill from Swoyer and reaching 24-19 on Swoyer's service ace. Earlier, Gote opened the set with a kill, Tribbett and Leber helped Berks build a 6-5 edge, and
Gwen Tew's kill pushed the home side ahead 11-8. The Lions moved in front at 12-11 and later 19-17, but Tribbett kills brought the Nittany Lions back within a point at 17-16 and 18-17 before the closing stretch. Gote contributed to both ends of the finish, blocking an attack for the 19-19 tie and putting away Swoyer's set for the final point as Berks took the third set 25-20.
Gote led Berks with 14 kills and 15 points while adding 10 digs. Tribbett finished with 11 kills on a .625 hitting percentage and added two solo blocks. Swoyer recorded 39 assists, three service aces and six digs. Caris collected a team-high 17 digs and added four kills.
WHO'S NEXT
Up next, Berks volleyball hosts Cheyney University of Pennsylvania on Saturday, Oct. 24, at 12 p.m. at Beaver Athletics and Wellness Center in Reading, Pa. The Nittany Lions will honor their senior on Senior Day before the match.
FOLLOW US
Fans can keep up with Berks Athletics all season long on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube using the handle @BerksAthletics.
