The Gannon University women’s volleyball team had a roller coaster of a weekend in taking on a pair of PSAC teams, sweeping Lock Haven before being swept by Pitt-Johnstown in three closely contested games.
The Knights’ win over Lock Haven Friday extended their winning streak to four and gave them a 14-1 record, the best start for a Gannon team since 1993, when the team started 17-0 and finished in the Elite Eight with a 28-6 record.
Gannon, now 14-2 overall and 3-1 in PSAC play, took advantage of the uneven matchup with Lock Haven, which had entered the match with a 1-9 record, and put points on the board with ease.
The Knights allowed just seven points in the first game against Bald Eagles and went on to win the second set, 25-13, and the third set, 25-23.
Beka Smith would continue to show that she is one of the most dominating players in the PSAC with 13 kills and four blocks. Kelsey Ansec added seven kills while Lauren Beck contributed three kills and four blocks.
Jordyn Thiery continued to add to her career dig total, this time with 12 digs.
The following day the team traveled to Pitt-Johnstown. The Mountain Cats so far this year have been nipping at the heels of Gannon because they are right behind the Knights in the PSAC standings.
This match would be close from start to finish. In the first set, Pitt-Johnstown would pull forward and get a 7-3 lead that later turned into a 19-13 advantage.
Gannon would close the gap, though, and tie up the game at 23-23, thanks to the great teamwork of the starting six. Unfortunately that’s where the points would stop for the Knights, losing the first set 25-23.
The second set would be a little further from Gannon’s reach, as the host team claimed a 25-20 win.
The third set would be a nail-biter, with the lead being swapped back and forth six times. It would go down to the very end with UPJ getting two huge blocks and giving Gannon its second loss of the season and first conference setback.
Hannah Kren and Smith each had eight kills in the loss while Ansec contributed six. Beck and Lexie Johnson each had six blocks and Ansec added four. Kren totaled 15 digs and Sara Crandall finished with 14.
The Knights look to get back on track after the loss when they travel to meet Clarion (9-7 overall and 3-1 in the PSAC) at 7 p.m. Friday and then the next day they will face Indiana (Pennsylvania) (4-0. 13-2) in Indiana at 2 p.m.
Gannon will then travel across town to take on rival Mercyhurst University (2-2, 8-9) at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 11.
MATTHEW NEWARA
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