Lions sweep Lehigh Valley 3-0

Hazleton, Pa. - The Nittany Lions cruised to victory on Thursday night with a 3-0 win over Penn State Lehigh Valley. Hazleton's three-set sweep moves the Lions back above .500 on the season with a 10-9 overall record and a 6-1 record in the PSUAC.  

Hazleton rallied early in the first set after trailing Lehigh Valley 4-3. The Lions scored nine of the next ten points, including four kills from third year Sydney Mack to claim a seven point advantage and Hazleton never relinquished control after that, claiming a 25-14 win in the opener. Set number two saw first year player Claire Riera-Gomez reel off 14 straight points from the service line. Hazleton went up by as many as 17 points in the second set before Lehigh Valley picked up the offense. Second year Kayktin Kelley led the Lions with three kills in the frame as Hazleton went on to win 25-10, taking firm control of the match. 

Once again, Riera-Gomez dominated the early efforts for Hazleton as set three began. The outside hitter led off the frame with a kill and served for four straight points to put Hazleton out in front but Lehigh Valley responded midway through the set to contest Hazleton's efforts. The visitors pulled within two points of Hazleton at 11-13 until Sydney Mack and second year Sarah Ballek registered a combined four kills to widen Hazleton's lead at 19-11. From there it was smooth sailing as second year setter Sophia Del Vacchio dropped in a pair of service aces as the Lions stormed ahead to win 25-13 for the clean sweep. 

A fine effort across the board for Hazleton saw Mack lead the way with 11 kills while Ballek totaled seven in the win. Riera-Gomez led the Lions with four service aces while Del Vacchio totaled 27 assists on the night. Hazleton's win gets the ball rolling into the final month of the season with an important contest coming up on Saturday, October 5. Hazleton will travel to Penn State Mont Alto on Saturday for an 11:00 a.m. match, looking to even the score as the Lions look to maintain their top position in the PSUAC East and even the season series with the defending champion Mont Alto squad. Following the Mont Alto battle, Hazleton will square off with Kent State Tuscarawas at 1:00 p.m.