PHOENIXVILLE, PA- Playing for the first time as the University of Valley Forge, the women's volleyball team set out to make a statement.  Hosting Penn State Harrisburg, a team that has always proven to be a problem, the women were resilient as they came from behind in set one, maintained a small lead in set two and came from behind yet again in set three to sweep the Nittany Lions, 3-0.

It was a less than desirable start for the Lady Patriots as the team quickly fell behind in set one after a series of bad passes.  After trailing 4-11, the women gathered themselves and came out swinging to tie the visitors.  The rallies went back and forth as both teams stretched themselves to the limit to gain a solid lead.  Finally the Lady Patriots emerged and looked to take the set, 25-23, but a mixture of missed serves and poor coverage allowed the Lions to tie again.  Time after time the teams would tie and gain the lead by one but it was the host school that finally came with the win, 29-27.

In set two UVF did what they do best, serving.  The women built a cushion upon service aces to stay ahead of the Lions.  Various times throughout the set, the Lions would claw their way back into the game to tie the Patriots with vigorous offensive attacks but the Lady Patriot's defense, led by Brittney Eberly and Jamie Summers refused to let them take hold of a lead.  Covering all angles of the floor and putting their serving proficiency on display, Valley Forge sailed to victory, taking set two, 25-20.

Set three seemed to mirror set one, as the women fell behind early on.  Scrambling around the court, the Lions gathered their lead point by point to head into the teens while leaving the host school in the low single digits.  After a quick timeout from the home bench, the women recovered the ball on a service error from the Lions.  Settling down, the women played almost flawlessly to regain the lead and inch their way to victory.  With the visitors right on their heels, UVF had no room for error.  Sitting at 22-21, the Lady Patriots faulted on serve to allow a tie.  Playing a perfect volley, the women gained back the lead and the ball with an attack from Aubrie McQuown to put the score at 23-22.  Once more the ladies faulted on serve, giving way to a tie but gained the ball back on a service error from the Lions to hit match point, 24-23.  Putting everything they had into the rally, the women refused to let the ball hit the ground and sealed their victory with a kill from Madison Arrowsmith to take the set, 25-23.

Shelby Shepherd played a nearly unblemished game with eight kills, zero errors and two solo blocks.  Aubrie McQuown backed her up with six kills, two aces and two block assists.  Kayleigh Smith grabbed five kills for the night.

Defense was led by Brittany Eberly, recorded 25 digs with two aces and a kill.  Jamie Summers notched six of her own digs with one kill.
Olivia Wireman set up the offense nicely with 12 assists, two service aces and two block assists.  Mackenzie Thibodeau grabbed 13 assist, three aces and one kill.

The team has little time to rest as they travel for the final game of the week to play against Bryn Mawr College, Thursday, September 19.  The game is set for 7PM.

Go Patriots!