LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Lock Haven University volleyball team (2-4) split today in the opening day of action at the Clarion University Invitational. In the first game of the day, LHU fell to fellow Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) member Gannon University in straight sets. The Bald Eagles, however, rebounded in dominant fashion and dropped Salem University in straight sets to close out the opening day.
 
Game 1: L, 0-3 (11-25,11-25, 17-25)
 
The Bald Eagles dropped the early game against Gannon in straight sets as the Golden Knights pounced early in the opening set and never looked back.
 
LHU received a strong performance from outside hitter Gabriela Fialova (Ledec nad Sazavou, Czech Republic/ (Indian River)) who paced The Haven offensively and defensively. Fialova tallied a team-high ten kills and also notched one service ace. The junior also led LHU defensively chipping in 12 digs.
 
Libero Regan Happ (Lighthouse Point, Fla./Westminster Academy) added 10 digs of her own and setter Kelly Gaston (Centennial, Colo./Grandview) handed out 16 assists.
 
The Golden Knights, who were receiving votes in this week's national poll, were led by Ashley Byers who dished out 31 assists and registered 12 digs.
 
Game 2: W, 3-0 (25-13, 25-21, 25-18)
 
LHU capitalized on their chances early and often in their evening matchup with Salem and built up a lead as big as 22-9 in the opening set. In the second set, Salem and the Bald Eagles battled back and forth but The Haven pulled out a gritty 25-21 victory before rolling to a 25-18 win in the third and final set.
 
Grace Hugar (Clarence, Pa./Bald Eagle) and Fialova shared the game-high mark in kills as each registered 11. Both of the LHU outside hitters also notched two service aces. Fialova added 15 digs to her performance, while Hugar added eight of her own.
 
Happ led all Bald Eagles defensively as she tidied up on the defensive side with a team-high 18 digs. Gaston added 12 digs of her own while also adding 23 assists to push The Haven attack to the win. Gaston also chipped in two service aces of her own as the Bald Eagles held a 9-6 advantage in the category.
 
Next Up:
 
LHU is right back in action tomorrow (Sept. 11) with two more matches at the Clarion University Invitational. At 3 p.m. The Haven faces off with Northwood University, before squaring off with hosts Clarion in the 7 p.m. nightcap.