Volleyball Opens 2014 Season With Two Wins

LATROBE, Pa. – A pair of wins greeted the Penn State Behrend volleyball team to start the 2014 season at the Bearcat Challenge hosted by St. Vincent College.

The Lions (2-0) defeated Carlow 25-19, 25-23 and 25-21 in the first match of the day and then finished with a 3-2 victory against Westminster. Behrend took the Titans into five sets, winning 25-12, 25-16, 21-25, 18-25, and 15-8.

Elizabeth Saunders (Elizabeth, PA/Elizabeth Forward) posted 76 assists and 22 digs in her first two collegiate volleyball matches at the setter position. In the nightcap, she recorded 43 assists and 11 digs. Alyssa Samarco (Plum, PA/Plum) led with 22 digs and 15 kills against Westminster. Allania Banta (Waterford, PA/Fort LeBoeuf) finished with 17 digs and three aces.

Paige Scurpa (Sharpsville, PA/Sharpsville) and Lindsey Bean (Waterford, PA/Fort LeBoeuf) registered double-digit kills with 10 and 11, respectively. Meredith Snyder (Parker, PA/Allegheny Clarion Valley) matched Courtney Hopson (Erie, PA/McDowell) with 13 digs.

In the first match, the Lions almost had three players with a double-double. Saunders tallied 33 assists and 11 digs, while Samarco earned 13 digs and 10 kills. Lauren Blachowski (Newtown, PA/Council Rock North) was one dig away from the feat with nine digs and 11 kills.

Bean added seven kills and four blocks, and Hopson tallied double-digit digs with 10.

Behrend returns to action tomorrow for the second day of the tournament. The Lions face Waynesburg at 11 a.m. and St. Vincent at 3 p.m.