PHOENIXVILLE, PA – The University of Valley Forge Women's Volleyball season got off to a big start Tuesday afternoon with a Tri-Match against Trinity Washington University and Central Penn College.  With a lot of new faces and not much time to get ready for the season, the Patriots did not get off to a very quick start against Trinity.  However, several big rallies pushed the Patriots over the top to grab a 3-0 victory. 

In the first set against Trinity, the team fell behind 20-14.  Freshman Gabriella Rodriguez came into the game and made an instant impact with an ace to bring the Patriots to within 4.  Still trailing by that same margin, a long rally was capped off by a Megan Freed kill that gave the Patriots some momentum.  Trailing 22-18, setter Jamie Summers went on an incredible serving run, scoring 5 straight points, including 2 aces.  With things knotted at 23, the lone senior on the team, Shelby Shepherd, stepped up and got a huge kill to give the Patriots game-point.  Trinity could not handle the serve from Brittany Eberly and the Patriots escaped with a 25-23 first set victory. 

The momentum did not carry into the second set however.  Trinity again built an early lead, 12-8, after a kill from Sarai Burnett, who led the team in kills with 5.  After a service error from Trinity, Patriots newcomer Megan Freed stepped to the line and gave Trinity some difficult serves to handle.  They rallied off 4 straight points and tied it up at 12.  Still tied at 14, former 1^st Team All-Region and East Region Libero of the Year Brittany Eberly rattled off 7 straight points, including 5 aces.  The Patriots went on to win the set 25-17.  Things settled down a little bit in the third set and the Patriots won comfortably 25-20.

A lot can be said for several returners on this team playing roles they aren't used to playing.  On last year's team, Eberly was a force in the back row and led the East Region in digs.  This year she has had to play a front row attacking role in addition to her usual defensive responsibilities.  Senior Shelby Shepherd, usually a mainstay on the front line, has also had to add some back row responsibilities to her repertoire.  Sophomore setter Jamie Summers, a defensive specialist the last year, has stepped up to quarterback the Patriots attack game.  Additionally, returner Maria Albanese filled in nicely all around the court and served tough all night.

It was a solid opening performance for the Patriots.  Shepherd led the team in kills (7), while Eberly led the team in digs (6).  Summers had a breakout performance leading the team in aces (8) and assists (15).
 
The second match of the night did not go as well for the Patriots.  They lost to a very strong Central Penn squad in straight sets (25-16, 25-16, 25-19).  Central Penn's Lauree Weigand was too much handle, leading the match in kills (12) and aces (7).  Patriots' freshman Megan Freed had a team-high 9 kills in just her second game of her collegiate career.  Summers finished with a game-high 23 assists.

The next home match for the Patriots will be on Saturday, September 5 at 11AM in the Pit against Christendom College.
 
Go Patriots!