VB celebrates Senior Night, prepares for PSUAC playoffs

Tuesday night, the Penn State Fayette volleyball team celebrated Senior Night with a three-set sweep of Penn State Beaver and in primed to open post-season play Thursday.

Head coach Sam Swetz focused on the three seniors to begin her post-game press conference.

"It was really hard having that moment where it hits you that those three will not be a part of the team next year," Swetz said about Kiki Martin, Kayla Barbabella and Siteri Tale. "They are each special in their own way."

Fayette (23-3, 11-1) won the sets over Beaver (17-9, 8-4), 25-19, 25-19 and 25-20, but Swetz spoke more about Martin (Brownsville, PA/Brownsville HS), Barbabella (Uniontown, PA/Uniontown HS) and Tale (Uniontown/Laurel Highlands HS), the reigning Player of the Year in both the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) and the Penn State University Athletic Conference (PSUAC).

"I have coached Kiki since she was 14 years old and watch her grow into the great player she is now," Swetz said. "I coached Kayla in high school is she is so positive and such a good teammate to have.

"Siteri and I, our relationship is super special.  She always seems to know when to look over to me on the court and I have learned to really read all of her expressions."

Tale finished with 12 kills and nine digs against Beaver while Justyne Howell (Hunker, PA/Southmoreland HS) recorded 18 assists, Jadyn Barnish (Carmichaels, Carmichaels HS) had 15 assists and 11 digs, Machaela Hall (Fairchance, PA/Albert Gallatin HS) had 23 digs and Angel Buwawa (Uniontown, PA/Laurel Highlands) finished with nine kills.

Fayette is the top seed out of the PSUAC West division and will take on the fourth seed out of the West, Penn State Mont Alto (16-10), at home on Thursday.

"I am excited that our chapter at home isn't closed yet and that we have one more big game to play at our court," Swetz said. "This week has made the girls hungry for championships and I truly believe that they are ready."

Fayette swept Mont Alto in both contests this season.

The winner advances to Penn State University in University Park on Monday for the semifinals with the finals taking place Tuesday.

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