Penn State Mont Alto 3, Harrisburg Area Community College 1 (25-23, 21-25, 25-10, 25-23)
With the non-conference battle tied at a set a piece, Mont Alto created much needed seperation in the third set on its way to a four set win over HACC. Mont Alto led by as much as 15 in the third set following a narrow 25-21 defeat in set two. Mont Alto improves to 2-6 on the season with the first home conference match on tap for Saturday afternoon against Penn State Shenango.
HACC built a early 10-6 advantage in the first set following a kill from Kaitlin Pluta. The Hawks also led 17-12 until Mont Alto rallied behind the serve of Kylie Denlinger. Denlinger provided two service aces during the rally as HACC also had some costly errors to lose the lead as Mont Alto led 18-17. The Nittany Lions would go on to take set one 25-23.
HACC outhit Mont Alto in the second set with a .114 hitting percentage (12 kills on 35 attempts) compared to Mont Alto's .067 hitting percentage (8 of 30). HACC led 24-17 as Mont Alto rallied for four straight points before the Hawks were able to win the set by a final of 25-21.
In the third set, the Denlinger sisters helped Mont Alto build a 6-1 advantage and forced an early HACC timeout as they each put the pressure on the defense with a service ace a piece. The lead ballooned to 13-3 at one point as Mont Alto cruised to a 25-10 win in set three.
With Mont Alto leading the fourth set 14-11, HACC rallied for seven straight points to take a 18-14 advantage behind two service aces from Pluta and two kills from Mackenzie Maass. Down 20-17, Mont Alto pulled off seven consecutive and eight of the last eleven points to rally and win the fourth set 25-23. Caroline Blickley provided two key kills during the rally and Katie Sinks added a service ace.
Mont Alto leaders
Kills: Caroline Blickley 13, Gracie Vaughn 12
Assists: Kylie Denlinger 28
Blocks: Gracie Vaughn 4, Caroline Blickley 3
Digs: Brooke Denlinger 17, Kylie Denlinger 13, Ashlyn Vandenbree 12
HACC leaders
Kills: Mackenzie Maass 19
Assists: Camryn Heth 25
Blocks: Mackenzie Maass 3
Digs: Aliza Sellars 21
