Box Score
LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Lock Haven University volleyball team (20-8) fought back from a 2-0 hole to knock off defending Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) champion Clarion University (19-12) 3-2 (23-25, 20-25, 25-17, 25-23 & 15-12) tonight in a thrilling semifinal match.
The Lady Eagles were down, two sets to zero, but bounced back and earned the win in dramatic fashion much to the delight of a rocking home crowd.
With the win Lock Haven advances to tomorrow (Saturday, November 12) night's championship match. LHU will take on California (Pa.) University, who took down West Chester University 3-1 in the night's first semifinal match.
Gao Xuan (Dong Ying, China/Zibo No. 10 Middle School) was a huge difference in the match for The Haven. The junior outside hitter knocked down a match-high 19 kills.
Haley Gribler (Powell, Ohio/Olentangy-Liberty) and
Bailey Farthing (Dublin, Ohio/Dublin-Coffman) also had Lock Haven's offense clicking with 14 and 12 kills, respectively.
Gribler and Xuan each had 19 digs, while
Erin Walsh (Bethlehem/Bethlehem Catholic) led LHU in digs with 22.
As usual
Alexa Garrity (Boothwyn/Cardinal O'Hara) had the offense on point and she finished with a match-high 51 assists.
A .317 team hitting percentage in the third set got the comeback started as LHU's offense started to roll. LHU knocked down 15 kills in both the third and fourth sets as they drew even with the Golden Eagles.
The final set proved to be another thriller as both teams looked strong and neither able to pull away.
With a boisterous crowd behind them, the Lady Eagles were able to put it away 15-12 and earn the chance to play for their seventh PSAC title.
Clarion's Kellie Bartman had 14 kills and Kaitlyn Anderson added 12.
Amanda Gough had 38 assists and Clarion turned in a 24-block night.
West Chester vs. California (Pa.) recap:
Box Score
California (Pa.) University (30-4) defeated West Chester University (22-14) 3-1(25-20, 25-16, 23-25 & 25-22) in the first semifinal match of the evening.
Cal took the first two games before dropping the third, but bounced back to win the match in a thrilling fourth set.
The Vulcans were led by Meghan Franz, Kelly Fromknecht and Brandy Harris who had 15, 13 and 12 kills respectively.
Kortney Eshleman recorded 45 assists for the Vulcans.
Lexi Kegerise had a match-high 17 kills for West Chester.
