VB finshes third at USCAA Nationals

Virginia Beach, VA - The most successful season in the history of the Penn State Fayette volleyball program ended with a USCAA Division II third-place finish and ranking thanks to its sweep over top-seeded University of Cincinnati Clermont Saturday afternoon.

"The team came together and played their best game all year," said head coach Sam Swetz. "I am so happy and so proud of them for making history!"

Fayette (23-9) never trailed in the first set, and while holding a 20-19 lead, the team closed the set on a 5-1 run to win, 25-20.

Trailing 1-0 in the second set, Fayette went on a 12-0 run to take a commanding 12-1 lead and it cruised to a 25-12 win.

Fayette went on a similar tear in the third set.  Down 2-1, it went on a 6-0 run to take a 7-2 lead and held off a frantic comeback attempt by Clermont to win, 25-23.

Jadyn Barnish (Carmichaels, Carmichaels HS) had 24 assists, Machaela Hall (Fairchance, PA/Albert Gallatin HS) had 15 digs, Chanel Porter (Cumberland, MD/Allegany HS) had 14 digs, Anei Toaisi (Suva, Fiji, Uniontown HS) had eight digs and Siteri Tale (Uniontown/Laurel Highlands HS) had five blocks.

Tale, who was named the USCAA Division II Player of the Year Thursday, added more hardware to her trophy case as she was named to the All-Tournament team.

For more information on the volleyball team, go to https://www.psfathletics.com/sports/wvball/index.  

Written by Bill Hughes