VB ready for Rec Hall, PSUAC semi's
Lemont Furnace, PA - The Penn State Fayette volleyball team (19-7) is returning to its "home away from home," Rec Hall, on the campus of Penn State University on Monday for the PSUAC semifinals.
The team, which defeated Penn State Mont Alto (12-13) in the quarterfinals Wednesday, takes on Penn State Hazleton (15-9), at 5 p.m.
Second-year head coach Sam Swetz spoke about returning to Rec Hall, where the team won the PSUAC championship two years ago before finishing as the runner-up last season.
"Our memories of our team winning championship after championship on that court gives us an advantage that literally no other team in the conference has," she said. "That includes (assistant coach) Janelle Cooper and myself as players for Fayette.
"It's a comfort knowing that you have made it once again and that the Fayette legacy gets to continue."
When asked what the keys will be for Fayette to advance once again to the PSUAC championship match, Swetz did not hesitate to respond.
"We can't let Rec Hall intimidate us as it is a court that you never forget playing on," she said. "The court is literally made for volleyball and my favorite thing is seeing the faces of freshmen when they step on the court for the first time.
"There is nothing else like it in the volleyball world, but the memories and wins that the court hold can be intimidating.
"The all-time greats have played on the court and we just have to use our adrenaline (we get) in a positive way."
In a home match on September 30, Fayette swept Hazleton, 25-12, 25-9, and 25-18.
Hazleton advanced to University Park with a 3-0 sweep over Penn State Schuylkill (7-17).
In the other semifinal, Penn State Beaver (16-11) faces Penn State Brandywine (17-14).
Beaver advanced with three-set upset at Penn State DuBois (19-5) while Penn State Brandywine swept Penn State Lehigh Valley (5-15).
Swetz talked about what the team has to do to be victorious.
"We will win if all the nerves and adrenaline plays into our talent and hustle," she said. "We need to use the nervous feeling and the rush to our advantage."
For more information on the volleyball team, go to https://www.psfathletics.com/sports/wvball/index.
Written by Bill Hughes