Behrend Advances to ECAC Semifinals with 3-2 Win Over W&J

The Penn State Behrend volleyball team (23-9) advanced in the ECAC South Tournament with a 3-2 win over the Washington & Jefferson Presidents (17-15) on Wednesday, November 12 at the Junker Center.

The blue and white took the first set 25-19 behind the big swings of Lauren Dalton (Cochranton/Cochranton). Dalton would go five for five on swings in the first set, finding the floor on each attempt. Dalton would tally 15 kills in the match to lead her team. Behrend would go on to drop the next two sets 21-25 and 13-25.  Down 2-1, the blue and white fought to win the fourth set 25-19 and force a deciding set five.  The Behrend Lions were then able to pull out a dramatic 15-13 win in the fifth to take the match 3-2. 

Danielle Kindle (Erie/McDowell) contributed six kills and four blocks to help with the offensive effort.  Adding to the offense, Carissa Johnston (Cambridge Springs/Cambridge Springs) pitched in seven kills and three blocks.  While Stefanie Kelley (Moon Township/Moon) led the defensive effort tallying 16 digs leading the team along with Brittany Hennessy (Hopewell/Hopewell) who also had 16. 

The Behrend Lions will move on to the semifinals and finals and will play #2 seed Widener who beat #7 CCNY 3-0 in the quarterfinals.  The winner will play the winner of the Stevenson/Cabrini match.  The ECAC Championships will be held at the number one seeded Stevenson Mustangs.

Behrend is making its second-ever appearance in the ECAC Tournament. In 2006, the blue and white won a school-record 29 matches and went 2-1 in the ECAC South Championship to finish as the runners-up.