The Blue Jay’s Volleyball team defeated Penn State Harrisburg on the road 3-1, Saturday, Sept. 9th.
After losing the first set by only two points, Etown refused to go down without a fight and won the next three sets for an overall of 56-46 points.
The Jays took the second set 25-17, the third set 25-19 and won the final set 25-18.
Junior Mackenzie Garner and sophomore Elle Shatto lead the Jays in kills with 12 each. First-year Aiyana Tietze–Di Toro lead with 17 Digs. Junior Sarah Schneider followed Tietze-Di Toro with 12 and Shatto with 11. Junior Gabby Anders provided 33 assists, Garner had six blocks and senior captain Morgan Reiss had three aces.
After struggling in the first set, Reiss said the team “broke the game down and focused on smaller, more immediate goals,” helping them come out victorious. As the season continues, Reiss said that they plan to focus on one game at a time to work on improving as a team, hopefully landing them in the playoffs.
The Jays were back on the road Monday for a tough match against the York College Spartans. Despite a strong second match, Etown lost 3-1.
The Jays lost the first set 25-19, but came back reenergized and ready to fight in the second set. Four kills from Shatto and a 1-point lead pushed the Blue Jays ahead enough to easily take the second match 25-18.
A strong second set was not enough to get the women a win. The third set was the closest match of the night, the Blue Jays falling 25-21.
Etown trailed the Spartans the entire fourth match, ultimately losing 25-19
With 15 total blocks, the Spartans strong defense held Etown to a .096 hitting percentage across all four matches.
A tough loss still gave way to strong performances from some of the Blue Jays’ stand-out players.
Shatto had a match-high 15 kills and earned her third consecutive double-double. Garner had 12 kills and one block. Schneider and first- year Marisa Krinock had each had four kills and Krinock managed one block and one ace. Anders had 39 assists and and senior Chelsea Gallagher and Tietze-Di Toro had 15 and 12 digs, respectively.
The Etown volleyball team plays Cairn University on the road Thurday, Sept. 14 at 7 p.m., then will be back in Thompson Gym Saturday, Sept. 16 against Penn State Berks.
