2022 Pennsylvania State University Athletic Conference Volleyball Semifinals

Penn State Mont Alto 3, Penn State Brandywine 0 (25-17, 25-16, 25-11)

It's been six years since the Penn State Mont Alto volleyball team last reached the PSUAC championship game. In the 2016 season, Penn State Mont Alto defeated Penn State Brandywine to advance to the conference championship game. Flash forward to the 2022 season, Penn State Mont Alto completed the same task, defeating Penn State Brandywine in straight sets to advance to the 2022 championship game against Penn State York.

Penn State Mont Alto defeated a Penn State Brandywine squad which had not lost a set since October 9. Penn State Brandywine swept the opposition in its last five matches prior to Monday evening. 

Mont Alto started the first set up 11-8 before Brandywine rallied to take the next two points to push the deficit to 11-10. The set was tied 12-12 before Mont Alto reeled off three straight points, capped off by a Leslie Huckle kill which landed in front of the Brandywine bench off a block attempt. The burst caused Brandywine coach Emily Battista to take one of her timeouts in the set. Mont Alto led pushed the lead to 22-14 in set one after Huckle recorded three consecutive kills, forcing another Brandywine timeout. Mont Alto took set one by a final of 25-17.

Penn State Mont Alto led by as much in set two as they took the set by a final of 25-16. Penn State Mont Alto took the first four points of set three until Brandywine captured its first point on a kill by Katie Snyder. Mont Alto rushed out to a 12-6 advantage in the third set when Caroline Blickley recorded a solo block, forcing a Brandywine timeout. Penn State Mont Alto would win 13 of the next 18 points to advance to Tuesday's championship contest against Penn State York.

Leaders:

Penn State Mont Alto

Kills- Leslie Huckle 15, Kylee Gooding 9

Assists- Kylie Denlinger 28

Digs- Brooke Denlinger 20

Blocks- Gracie Vaughn 3, Caroline Blickley 2

Penn State Brandywine

Kills- Anna Ramirez 8, Amanda Floyd 5

Assists- Laura Jezyk 16

Digs- Suzie Alvarenga 23

Blocks- Lexie Berry 3

Up Next: PSUAC Championship vs Penn State York, Tuesday 11/1 7 p.m. at Rec Hall, State College, Pa.