ALTOONA, Pa. - Just three days after the Penn State Altoona women's volleyball team battled back from a 2-0 deficit to stun Mount Aloysius, the Lions were on the wrong side of the same scenario, dropping a five-game decision to Pitt-Bradford Saturday evening at the Adler Gym. 

Altoona looked to have the match well in hand after taking the opening two games by scores of 25-23 and 25-21.  But the visiting Panthers overcame a nine point deficit in game three to win 25-23 and took control of game four, winning 25-21.

In the decisive fifth game, Bradford never trailed and eventually led 14-6.  The Lions scored five straight points but were unable to complete the comeback, falling 15-11.

Sophomore Jess Tirko (State College, PA/State College) had a monster night from her libero position, digging up a school-record 54 digs. 

Freshman Steph Bowman (Mechanicsburg, PA/Mechanicsburg) had a team-high 10 kills while sophomore Olivia Hallahan (Huntingdon, PA/Huntingdon) tallied eight spikes.

The Lions dropped to 5-12 overall and 2-1 in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference.  Phil Peterman's squad is back in action Tuesday, October 7, for a 7:00 PM match against La Roche at the Adler Gym.

CRESSON, Pa. - After digging itself an early two-game hole, the Penn State Altoona women's volleyball team reeled off three straight victories en route to a 3-2 win over Mt. Aloysius Tuesday night.

Junior Olivia Hallahan (Huntingdon, PA/Huntingdon) had 14 kills to go along with two solo blocks and a pair of block assists for the victors.  Freshman Kayle Knob (Altoona, PA/Altoona) added eight spikes and classmate Steph Bowman (Mechanicsburg, PA/Mechanicsburg) had a season-high seven service aces.  Sophomore Jess Tirko (State College, PA/State College) led the Lions in digs with 37.

For the Mounties, sophomore Amanda Knowles (Philipsburg, PA/Philipsburg) had a team-high 15 kills and four blocks.  Freshman Sarah Brewer (Rockwood, PA/Rockwood) recorded 17 digs, while senior setter Kate Byrne passed out 37 set assists.

In game one, Penn State Altoona jumped out of the gates and took an early 7-0 lead before Mt. Aloysius could crack the scoreboard.  The Mounties pulled to within three points on four occasions and finally tied the game at 20-20.  The hosts scored the next two points and won the game 25-23 on a Knowles spike.

Altoona again took an early lead in the second game, grabbing a quick 6-2 advantage.  After a 5-3 run made it 11-5, the Mounties would score 18 of the next 23 points to turn the tables and stake a 23-16 lead. The Lions roared back after using a 7-0 run of their own to close the gap 24-23 before Mt. Aloysius' Chelsea Trees (Thomasville, PA/Delone Catholic) notched the game-winner.

Game three was more of the same as Altoona grabs a 7-3 early lead, only to watch Mt. Aloysius battle back and eventually tie the game at 12-12.  The Mounties used an 8-4 run to pull ahead 20-16 and looked to have the match well in hand.  But the Lions responded by scoring nine of the final 10 points to claim a 25-21 victory.

The visitors controlled game four en route to 25-15 triumph.  The Lions held leads of 12-7, 19-11, and 20-15 before ending the game on a 5-0 run.

In the fifth and final game, both teams exchanged leads in the early going until Altoona used a 5-0 run to pull ahead 12-7.  The Lions went on to take the game 15-9 for their second consecutive Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference win.

Penn State Altoona improved to 5-11 overall, 2-0 in the AMCC, while Mt. Aloysius fell to 5-10 overall, 0-2 in the AMCC.

The Lions host Pitt-Bradford this Saturday, October 4, at 6:00 PM at the Adler Gym.

STEUBENVILLE, Oh. - Although bus troubles hampered the Penn State Altoona women's volleyball team causing their 1:00 PM match at Franciscan University to start nearly two hours late, the squad didn't miss a beat in a 3-0 rout of the Barons Saturday in both squads Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference openers.

The Lions took the opening game 25-16 before winning the second and third sets by identical scores of 25-18, giving head coach Phil Peterman his first-ever AMCC victory.

Junior Olivia Hallahan (Huntingdon, PA/Huntingdon) had her best match of the young season, sporting a .609 hitting percentage with 14 kills.  She also recorded a gaudy 10 block solos and six block assists while making just one error.

Teammate Kayle Knob (Altoona, PA/Altoona) spiked eight balls in 15 attempts and made seven solo blocks to go along with four block assists.  Freshman setter Carol Opiela (Springfield, VA/Paul VI) led the team with 16 set assists, and sophomore libero Jess Tirko (State College, PA/State College) fronted the Lions in digs with 22.

Freshman Jannell Wilt (Altoona, PA/Bellwood-Antis) tallied eight kills and dug up 15 balls for the victors, which improved to 4-11 overall and 1-0 in AMCC play.

Penn State Altoona is back in action this Wednesday, October 1, for a 7:00 PM match at local conference rival Mount Aloysius College.

GRANTHAM, Pa. - The Penn State Altoona women's volleyball team dropped a non-conference match at Messiah College Saturday in straight games, falling 25-21, 25-22, 25-23.

Freshman Kayle Knob (Altoona, PA/Altoona) had a team-best seven kills in 15 attempts and also recorded three block assists before sustaining a leg injury in the final game.  Classmate Steph Bowman (Mechanicsburg, PA/Mechanicsburg) and junior Olivia Hallahan (Huntingdon, PA/Huntingdon) spiked four balls apiece, and Hallahan made three total blocks.

Sophomore libero Jess Tirko (State College, PA/State College) dug up 29 balls and led the team in service aces with three.

The meeting was the third-ever for both schools.  Messiah now leads the all-time series 2-1.

The Lions, which fell to 3-11 on the season, begin Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference play next Saturday when they travel to Franciscan University for a 1:00 PM match against the Barons.

ALTOONA, Pa. - Despite an 11-7 game five lead, the Penn State Altoona women's volleyball team was unable to hold off visiting Lycoming College, falling 3-2 Tuesday evening at the Adler Gym.

The Lady Warriors won the first game 25-21, but Altoona battled back to win the next two by scores of 25-19 and 25-21.  The Lions seemingly had the match won after leading late into the fourth game, but Lycoming persevered for a 25-23 victory to force a final game. 

Altoona held leads of 3-0, 6-3, and again looked to have total control after a Lycoming miscue made it 11-7.  After a timeout, the Lady Warriors outscored the young Lions 8-2 to claim the match and earn their eighth win of the year.

Freshman Kayle Knob (Altoona, PA/Altoona) had a career-high 14 kills, and junior Olivia Hallahan (Huntingdon, PA/Huntingdon) spiked a season-high 13 kills.  Freshman Carol Opiela (Springfield, VA/Paul VI) handed out 21 set assists and led the team with four service aces.

The Lions, which fell to 3-10 on the season, started five freshmen, a junior, and sophomore libero Jess Tirko (State College, PA/State College), who dug up 41 balls. 

Next up for the squad is a non-conference match at Messiah College this Saturday, September 20, at 2:00 PM.