Edinboro, Pa. - The Edinboro University volleyball team fell short and were defeated in three sets (21-25, 22-21, 22-25) by Gannon University, in a PSAC West match up on Friday evening at McComb Fieldhouse in Edinboro, PA. With the loss the Fighting Scots fall to (18-5) overall and (10-3) in the PSAC West. The Golden Knights improve to (24-5) overall and (11-3) in conference play.
On the offensive attack for Edinboro, sophomore Natalie Pallone finished with ten kills on the evening, while junior Bella Burrelli and freshman Abby Monn both contributed nine kills each
Senior Alicia Eldredge was effective distributing to the Fighting Scots offense, Eldredge finished with 32 of the teams 37 assists
In the serving department, Monn led Edinboro with four aces which was a season-high for her, Eldredge added two aces of her own
On the defensive side freshman Michaella Cloonan paced the Scots upfront on the net, Cloonan finished with three total blocks, while senior Sally Sterkel, Pallone, and Burrelli all finished two total blocks.
Freshman Carly Pry led the way for Edinboro in the digs department, Pry finished with 16 digs, while Monn added 15 and Eldredge contributed 14
In the opening set of the match the two teams at the top of the PSAC West standings would trade runs which ended with Gannon winning the first set 21-25. Early on Edinboro was able to score three consecutive points and go up 8-4 on the Golden Knights. The run consisted of an ace by Monn and a kill by Pallone. Gannon immediately answered with four-straight points of their own to tie it up at 8-8. Later in the first set the Fighting Scots went on another run. This run was fueled by Pallone on the attack, Pallone recorded an impressive four-straight kills to put the Scots ahead 16-12. The run was still not enough to put away the Golden Knights. Gannon responded by scoring nine of the next 11 points off Sam Deinek's service. Both teams were impressive on the attack in the first set, each team recorded 16 kills. Ultimately, Gannon would claim the last two points and win the set 21-25.
In the second set Gannon and Edinboro would continue to trade runs, as Gannon overcame Edinboro 22-25. Early on Edinboro claimed the first big run that was set up by kills by Burrelli and Monn, as well as an ace by Monn. The run put the Scots up 7-5. Gannon bounced right back with Ashley Beyer's service and regained the lead. Later in the set Edinboro once again put together efficient run. The Scots would go on a 8-2 run that was powered by kills from Pallone, Burrelli, and Monn. Suddenly Edinboro was up 18-15. From that point on Gannon would flip a switch and regain the lead. The second set consisted of 10 ties and six lead changes. Gannon would score eight of the last ten points in the set, and go on to win 22-25.
The third and final set Gannon was able to put away a hard fought Edinboro team that never gave up. The set was once again another back-and-forth battle that consisted of nine ties and six lead changes. Edinboro made a big push midway through the set, the Scots scored seven unanswered points. The run was led by three kills from Burrelli and two aces from Monn, which put Edinboro ahead 14-11. Later in the third set three-straight points by the Scots tied things up at 22-22. Gannon hit at .213 in the final set which boosted them over the top. The Golden Knights scored the final three points of the set to win 22-25.
Edinboro will be back in action on Saturday, Nov. 6, at McComb Fieldhouse when they host Mercyhurst University at 6 p.m.
