Fayette Sweeps Penn College and Hazleton, Winning Streak at 14

UNIONTOWN – Penn State Fayette scored a pair of 3-0 wins in Women's Volleyball Action on Saturday in the Lion's Den. The Roaring Lions used a strong start in each match to propel them to victory.

In the opener, Fayette (20-5, 14,0) faced #12 Penn College in a battle of the conference's only remaining unbeaten teams.

In Fayette's 25-6, first set win, The Roaring Lions jumped out to a 7-0 lead on the strength of three kills by Leah Ambrosini (Connellsville, Pa.) and two from Katlyn Salisbury (Madison, Pa.) and seven service points from Emily Caldwell (Belle Vernon, Pa.).

Penn got three back before another Ambroni kill started an 8-0 run. Emily Konter (Brownsville, Pa.) had the service points and set up two kills for Samantha Helmantoler (Monongahela, Pa.) and one for Salisbury.

The Lady Wildcats got a point on a service error, but a Salisbury block ignited an 8-2 run to close out the set.

In the second set, Penn jumped out to a 3-1 lead. Fayette pulled even on a Konter service ace and the teams traded points until Fayette went on a 15-9 run to take the second game 25-15

Fayette raced to a 21-12 lead in the final set, only to see the Lady Wildcats fight back into the game, scoring nine of the next 14 points to close to 24-21. The run was ended with a Helmantoler kill off of a Konter set.

For the game, Ambrosini had a game high 13 kills, while Helmantoler added seven and Salisbury six. Konter finished with 25 assists. Konter and Helmantoler led the defense with eight digs while Janelle Cooper (Mt. Braddock, Pa.) and Ambrosini added seven and Abby Tirpak (California, Pa.) five. Cooper also registered  four blocks and Salisbury three.

Freshman Laura Hefner (Bridgeport, W.Va.) had a service ace and three digs.

In the nightcap, Fayette defeated Penn State Hazleton by scores of 25-8, 25-15, 25-8.

A total of 44 of Fayette's 75 points in the match came via a kill. Ambrosini, the nation's top player in hitting percentage, had 15 of them and Helmantoler 13. Konter, sixth in the nation in assists, notched 30.

Cooper was the defensive anchor with a pair of blocks and 13 digs. Caldwell chipped in with eight digs.

Fayette returns to action on Thursday, Oct. 18 when the Roaring Lions host Penn State DuBois. The team will host a Dig Pink Night to highlight breast cancer awareness.  First serve is 7 p.m.