Penn State Mont Alto 3, Penn State Fayette 2 (23-25, 25-21, 25-19, 17-25, 16-14)
Penn State Mont Alto continued their hot streak of the 2023 season on Thursday evening, winning their fifth straight game by defeating Penn State Fayette in a five-set thriller. Down 14-11 in the fifth set, Mont Alto reeled off five consecutive points to pull into sole possession of first place amongst the PSUAC West standings. Two kills by Gracie Vaughn and the finale by Elizabeth Trella completed the Mont Alto comeback.
Fayette struck first in the match, taking the first set by two with a final score of 25-23. Mont Alto made the proper adjustments following the first set, taking the next two sets 25-21 and 25-19 respectively. In the fourth set, Fayette pulled the momentum back in their favor holding a seven point lead at 17-10. Mont Alto would climb to within four as Leslie Huckle finished off a set from Kylie Denlinger as they trailed 21-17 late. Huckle accumulated two attack errors and Fayette's Kamden Miller recorded two kills to grab the last four points of the fourth set to force a decisive fifth set.
Fayette would come out strong in the fifth set, leading 12-6 at one point. Mont Alto took the next four points as Caroline Blickley and Leslie Huckle each recorded key kills. Fayette would hold match point at 14-11 before Mont Alto once again battled back from adversity for the second time this week. Elizabeth Trella and Gracie Vaughn each recorded two kills as Mont Alto took the final five points of the match to seal a 16-14 fifth set victory.
For Penn State Mont Alto, they remained a perfect 3-0 in conference play with a road trip to Penn State Beaver on Saturday.
Penn State Mont Alto Leaders
Kills: Elizabeth Trella 16, Leslie Huckle 14, Gracie Vaughn 12
Digs: Brooke Denlinger 26, Kylie Denlinger 15, Katie Sinks 12
Assists: Kylie Denlinger 46
Blocks: Gracie Vaughn (4 S, 4 A)
Penn State Fayette Leaders
Kills: Pasepa Driso-Buwawa 16, Kamden Miller 14, Adela Blough 12
Digs: Pasepa Driso-Buwawa 25, Kamden Miller 22
Assists: Emma Eckert 42
Blocks: Abigail Bickerton (2 S, 3 A)
