Edinboro, Pa.-- The Edinboro volleyball team earned a win on Friday night against California (Pa.) in four sets and swept the season series (15-25, 25-20, 25-15, 25-19). With the win, the Scots improved to (18-7) overall and (8-5) in conference play.
In four sets played, Edinboro recorded nine more kills than Cal. The Scots finished with a (.186) hitting percentage compared to the Vulcan's (.118) clip.
In the opening set it was California who came out red hot as they recorded a team-high (.333) hitting percentage in the set. The Scots did initially take the first lead after four-straight kills coming from Erica Sharp, Bella Burrelli and two from Natalie Pallone. Cal would counter with a strong 7-1 run to gain a 17-12 lead. Shortly after, Cal continued their dominance by finishing the set on another 7-1 run, as a Vulcan's kill was enough for their twenty-fifth point.
In the second set it was Edinboro who came roaring back and produced 13 kills on a (.103) clip. The Vulcans held a small lead early in the set before the Scots began to gain strong momentum. A Vulcan's block set the score at 14-11 in favor of Cal. Edinboro then countered with an 11-1 run off Carly Pry and Allison Swiatkowski's service. A huge kill from Sharp concluded the run as the Scots went up 22-15. Cal put forth a strong effort to get back into the set but came up short. Back-to-back kills from Sally Sterkel and Burrelli retired the set at 25-20 in favor of Edinboro.
In the third set Edinboro continued to play with momentum as they recorded match-highs with 16 kills on a (.400) clip. Early on a kill from Burrelli put Edinboro up 10-5. Later, Pallone got in the action with a kill coming from Sharp's assist as the Scots extended their lead to 16-9. Then Edinboro strung together four-consecutive points off an ace from Emelia Rowell and kills from Sharp and Sterkel as they led 21-13. Edinboro retired the set with three-straight kills with two from Pallone and one from Sterkel. The Scots won set three 25-15 in dominant fashion.
In set four the two PSAC West teams continued to trade leads after a Vulcans block put them ahead 7-6. Edinboro immediately countered with a 5-0 run off Rowell's service which ended with a block split between Alicia Eldredge and Burrelli, as the Scots led 11-7. After another Edinboro run, the Scots had built a comfortable 19-11 lead. But Cal wasn't done, they came back swinging with their own 7-1 run to get within two points of Edinboro. Ultimately, the Scots closed out the fourth set with four-straight points including kills from Eldredge and Burrelli. Edinboro won the set 25-19.
-Bella Burrelli finished with a game-high 14 kills on a (.174) clip, along with 16 digs
-Alicia Eldredge finished with 32 assists and 15 digs
Edinboro will be back in action at home on Saturday (Oct. 29) for Senior Day, the match begins at 4 pm.
