VB downs defending champs to open USCCAs

The Penn State Fayette women's volleyball team opened play in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association National Championships Thursday, and things could not have gone any better.

Fayette (27-3) defeated Johnson & Wales, the 2018 USCAA champions, in four sets and head coach Sam Swetz was pumped up after the contest.

"We played to our full potential," she said from Virginia Beach. "This is the team that I have been pushing all season and conference championships set that up."

The scores of the sets were 25-15, 15-25, 25-15 and 25-22.

Siteri Tale (Uniontown/Laurel Highlands HS) had 15 kills, 10 digs and six blocks, Jadyn Barnish (Carmichaels, Carmichaels HS) had 18 assists and Machaela Hall (Fairchance, PA/Albert Gallatin HS) had 23 digs.

Did the experience of playing at the USCAAs last year help?

"I don't think it was important because a lot of our lineup is so new," Swetz said. "Having the fresh, hungry and new blood is what revived us for this year.  I say it all the time that we are a different team this year."

Swetz said the team was locked in before the contest.

"They were soaking in every moment, and they were enjoying that we have made it so far, but warmups were intense," she said. "The team was so focused and ready."

Fayette continues Pool Play Friday at 11:30 AM when the Nittany Lions play Great Bay Community College.

With a win, Fayette would earn the top seed from Pool B and face the second seed from Pool A.

For more information on the championships, go to

www.uscaafallchampionships.com.

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