Women's Volleyball Handles Fredonia

ERIE, Pa. – Catherine Healy (Connellsville, PA/Connellsville) had 11 kills on 15 attacks with one error for a game-high .667 hitting percentage to lead Penn State Behrend past Fredonia State 3-0 in non-conference women's volleyball action on Tuesday night.

The Lions (13-7) made tonight's match a "Battle Against Blood Cancer" and were able to raise just over $1,000 dollars tonight with additional pledges yet to be collected. The proceeds will benefit The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  

In front of the best crowd yet this season, Behrend took down the Blue Devils (10-12) in three sets 25-18, 25-8 and 25-22.

Mary Sperry (Atlantic, PA/Conneaut Lake) posted a game-high 19 digs to go with eight kills, while Chelsea Magnusen (Plum, PA/Plum) distributed 26 assists and 10 digs for a double-double.

Behrend jumped out to a 7-1 lead in the first set, forcing an early Fredonia timeout. The Blue Devils got within three points at 13-10, but the Lions rattled off five straight points on kills by Healy and Alyssa Pears (Meadville, PA/Meadville). Sperry tallied the final two offensive points with kills for a 25-18 victory.

With a 15-8 lead in the second set, Pears served 10 straight points to help the Lions go ahead 2-0 in the match. She registered three service aces while Healy and Ashley Solo (Irwin, PA/Penn-Trafford) knocked down a kill in the run.

The Blue Devils managed to rally back from a 19-10 deficit in the third set, making it a one-point game at 23-22. An attack error and an ace by Tory Storino (Pittsburgh, PA/Baldwin) led Behrend to the shutout, 25-22. Ariana Rosario-Fuste (San Juan, Puerto Rico/University) served well in the third set, collecting back-to-back aces to give the Lions a 6-2 lead.

As a team, Behrend hit .225 for the match and recorded 52 digs on 103 attacks.

The Lions return to action tomorrow against D'Youville. Match begins at 7 p.m.