Edinboro, Pa. - The Edinboro University volleyball team was victorious in five sets (16-25, 24-26, 25-23, 25-21, 15-13) over Seton Hill University, in a PSAC West match up on Saturday afternoon at the McKenna Center in Greensburg, PA. With the win the Fighting Scots improved to (14-3) overall and (7-1) in the PSAC West. The Griffins falls to (9-10) overall and (2-6) in conference play.
The Fighting Scots were down 21-20 in the third set on the brink of a possible three set sweep, when they gained momentum and ultimately overcame Seton Hill in five sets.
On the offensive attack for Edinboro, junior Bella Burrelli led the way with 21 kills which is a season high for her, freshman Abby Monn contributed 12 kills of her own
Sophomore Natalie Pallone posted 11 kills which was a season high for her, and senior Sally Sterkel added eight kills on 15 attempts
Edinboro's attack on offense was set up by senior Alicia Eldredge, she recorded a season-high 51 assists
On the defensive side Edinboro held Seton Hill to a .178 hitting percentage, Pallone and freshman Michaella Cloonan each posted 8 total blocks which is a season high for both players
In the digs department freshman Carly Pry posted 16 digs, and Monn contributed 10 of her own
In the opening set of the match Seton Hill came out to fast start, the Griffins won the first set 25-16. Early in the set Edinboro scored five straight points off Eldredge's service to slim the Griffins lead to 10-12. Seton Hill responded with four straight points of their own to go up 10-16. Edinboro was held to a hitting percentage of .033 in the first set. Seton Hill scored the final two points of the set to win 16-25.
The second set was similar to the first set, Edinboro fell short in the set 24-26. The Griffins jumped out to another early lead; Mariela Alvarado's service ace put them up 6-1 over Edinboro. Midway through the set, Edinboro went on an 8-2 run and found themselves only down 15-17. Seton Hill posted a team best .308 hitting percentage in the second set, along with 13 kills. The set was tied 24-24, when two Edinboro errors led to Seton Hill winning the second 24-26.
The third set of the match was the beginning of a big momentum shift in the game. Edinboro was leaning on the offensive attack to give them the edge, the Scots would win the third set 25-23. The set displayed a close battle between the two schools, there were four ties and three lead changes. Midway through the set Edinboro went on seven-point run off Eldredge's service that consisted of four straight kills that forced a timeout by Seton Hill. Edinboro recorded a game-high 18 kills in the third set. Monn finished the third set off by getting a kill that was assisted by Eldredge. Edinboro took the third set 25-23.
In the fourth set Edinboro's efficient attack led them to a 25-21 win. Midway through the set Edinboro rattled off four straight points to go up 16-9 from Pry's service, the run forced a timeout by Seton Hill. The Griffins immediately responded with a run of their own to force an Edinboro timeout. Edinboro posted their best hitting percentage of the day in the fourth set at .342. A kill by Pallone finished off the set, Edinboro won the fourth 25-21 to force a final set.
The fifth and final set was started off with back-to-back points, with an Eldredge ace and a bad set by the Griffins. Midway through the set, three straight points by Seton Hill forced an Edinboro timeout as they were down 8-10. Edinboro responded with six unanswered which ultimately forced two timeouts by Seton Hill. During the run off Eldredge's service, Burrelli and Pallone each recorded a kill and Edinboro was up 14-10. The Griffins refused to give up the match point, they scored three straight points to make the score 14-13 in favor of Edinboro. The final point was a kill by Burrelli to seal the win 15-13.
Edinboro will be back in action on Tuesday, Oct. 19, when they travel on the road to match up against D'Youville College at 6 p.m.
