Phoenixville, PA – The University of Valley Forge Women's Volleyball team fell to the Nittany Lions of Penn State Hazleton 3-2 (27-29, 25-23, 25-21, 18-25, 10-15). With this loss, the Patriots move to 3-17 on the season.

The tempo was revealed in the very first set with both teams determined to claim the win. The Patriots and Lions consistently swapping points, finding themselves tied at 12-12 after a few kills and errors from each squad. The Patriots made a substantial 6-point run initiated by kills from Kaitlyn Hess and Kimberly Ramcharitar, changing the scoreboard to 22-16. However, the Lions would jump back into the set from five Patriot errors and two kills, tying the set 24-24. With both teams having the opportunity to close out the set, the Lions would lock in down with three Patriots errors, concluding the first set 29-27.

With the second set in full swing, the Patriots and Lions continued their trade for points as they sat at 9-9. The Lions would gain control from a few Patriot errors, earning an 18-12 advantage. Down a crucial 7 points, the Patriots gathered a spark of energy, causing the Lions chaos and capitalizing off of their mistakes to tie the set 18-18. As the Lions struggled to find momentum, the Patriots took the second set 25-23.

As both teams were tied 1-1 on the match, the third set started off in favor of the Lions. With a 7-2 Lion lead, the Patriots quickly gathered a couple points from a Melanie-Ann Torres kill and service ace, as well as a pair of Lion errors. With an even match at hand, the Patriots took the upper hand on a service aces, a pair of kills, and three Penn State errors, claiming a 21-18 lead. Although the Lions tried to pry their way in, the Patriots shut down any hope as they wrapped up the match on two kills from Kaitlyn Hess 25-21.

With a 2-1 advantage, the Patriots would try to close out the evening but the Lions weren't going down without a fight. As Penn State took an early 8-3 lead, they would maintain steady control throughout the entire set as the Patriots would commit 15 errors. Valley Forge would attempt a run but it wouldn't be enough as the Lions held them off for a 25-18 final.

In the final frame of the night, the Patriots and Lions were tied at 5-5. However, the Lions would find a boost of momentum and go on a 4-point run, leading the Patriots 9-5. As Valley Forge would try to inch their way back, the Lions were able to take advantage of Patriot errors to win the set 15-10.

Although it was a tough loss, Kaitlyn Hess led the Patriots with a career high of 29 kills, with Hannah Hawryluk also gathering a career high of 29 assists. Kimberly Ramcharitar and Melanie-Ann Torres lead the team in service aces as they both tallied two. Defensively, the Patriots were led by Melanie-Ann Torres as she collected a career high of 40 digs, followed by Kaitlyn Hess (32), and Hannah Hawryluk (19).

The Patriots will host their first home tri-match of the season on Saturday, October 19^th against the Aggies of Delaware Valley University, and the Bloodhounds of John Jay College. Valley Forge is set to play at 10 a.m., and 12 p.m.