Phoenixville, PA – The University of Valley Forge Volleyball team welcomed the Lions of Penn State Brandywine to UVF on Monday evening. The Patriots fell in straight sets by scores of 25-19, 25-15, and 25-23.
Offensively, UVF was led by
Megan Freed with 11 kills and Kailtyn Hess who tallied 18 assists.
The Patriots started strong by winning the first three points off of the service of
Kaitlyn Hess. Hess recorded two service aces and helped UVF jump out to a 3-0 lead. Brandywine had an answer. The Lions reeled off 6 straight points to pull ahead 6-3. Both teams battled over the next few points and with UVF down 12-7, The Patriots went to work.
Megan Freed tallied two aces and a kill during a 5-0 Valley Forge run. UVF came back to tie the game at 12. Both teams continued to match each other point for point until the Lions were able to string together a scoring run of 6-1. UVF tried to battle back but it was too late. Brandywine won set #1 by a score of 25-19.
The second set remained tight. With the score sitting at 11 apiece, the Lions used a quick 3-0 run to pull ahead 14-11. Brandywine continued to build the lead and would end the second set by winning the last 6 points to win by a score of 25-15.
The Lions jumped out of the gate fast to start the third set. Brandywine bolted out to an 8-0 lead. Down 12-3, the Patriots needed to string together points to get back into the match. After a Lion service error,
Mariah Straker gave the Patriots the spark they needed. Straker immediately gave Valley Forge a service ace. Behind
Mariah Straker's serving and a kill by
Megan Freed, the Patriots were down 12-9. UVF continued to work to erase the Lion lead. Valley Forge managed to bring a once 11 point lead down to just 1. The Patriots and Lions matched each other point for point. Watching this team, you will never question its heart to compete until the very end. Unfortunately, Valley Forge came up just a little short. With the score tied at 23, the Lions won the final two points to win the set and the match.
