Lady Lions Battle Back in Home Opener, Win in Five Sets

It took all five sets for the Penn State New Kensington Women's Volleyball team (2-5, 1-1) to pick up their first PSUAC victory over Penn State DuBois (3-5, 3-3) in Friday night's home opener at the Penn State New Kensington Athletic Center. 

The Lady Lions came out strong, winning the first set 25-17. Sophomore Outside Hitter, Melissa Daugherty, led the way with three kills.  New Kensington kept the momentum rolling until Daugherty came down awkwardly on her ankle in the middle of the second set.  She did not return to action after the injury, and Penn State DuBois was able to rally and knot the match at 1-1 with a 25-23 win.

Penn State DuBois was able to grab a 2-1 lead in the match after winning the third set by a tally of 25-14. 

The fourth set proved to be pivotal in Friday night's match as both teams jockeyed for the lead.  Long rallies by New Kensington's Melissa Betush and Thamirys Ferreira and a number of kills by Payton Wranich helped the Lady Lions push a fifth set with a 25-21 fourth set victory.

In the final frame at the Athletic Center, Sophomore Captain, Kara Shaley, put the team on her back with seven consecutive serves to lift the Lady Lions to a 15-11 fifth set win and their first conference victory in 2012.

Shaley also led the team in kills with 12, while Wranich and Kennington Knapp had seven and six kills respectively.

Penn State New Kensington will be back in action on Thursday, September 27th when they travel to Penn State Greater Allegheny.  First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m.