Women’s Volleyball Back on Track after Winning Syracuse Classic
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Women’s Volleyball Back on Track after Winning Syracuse Classic

No. 17 Penn State women’s volleyball (5-3) is not used to losing. The multiple time National Champs had a rough start to their season, going 2-3 in their first two tournaments of the season.

This past weekend, however, the Nittany Lions were prepared to turn that all around at the Syracuse Classic at Syracuse University in New York. At the tournament, the Lions took on Siena, Hofstra, and Syracuse over the span of Friday and Saturday.

On Friday, junior standout Simone Lee (Menomonee Falls, Wis.) led the team with 14 kills, and notched four digs, and three blocks.

Redshirt freshman Tori Gorrell (Oakville, Ontario) led the team with six blocks, and true freshman Abby Detering (Mentor, Ohio) led the team with nine digs.

Penn State won each set handily, by at least 13 points each time to take the game in three sets.

On Saturday, the Lions continued their strong work ethic and desire to win against a competitive Hofstra, going to a fourth set.

Penn State won the first and third sets, however the first and second sets were within four points of a win or loss. Hofstra trailed off in the third and fourth sets, never scoring more than 12 points against PSU.

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Lee once again dominated the court with 21 kills; Gorrell and Detering continued their stellar weekend with 8 blocks and 10 digs, 41 assists, respectively.

Other notable contributors were Lainy Pierce (Eden, N.Y.), Haleigh Washington (Colorado Springs, Colo.), and Heidi Thelen (Edgewood, Ky.) as all three helped get the Lions back on track to dominate the third and fourth sets.

The final game of the weekend, against Syracuse University, was the clincher in the tournament win for Penn State, who took out the big Orange in three sets.

In her sixth consecutive double match showing this season, Lee yet again made herself known on the court with 18 kills.

True freshman Kendall White (Indianapolis, Ind.) added 12 digs while Ali Frantti (Spring Grove, Ill.) and Washington each added a single ace.

Although the first set was a close one for the Lions, who won 25-22, the other two sets were won confidently by Penn State.

Penn State women’s volleyball returns home to Rec Hall next weekend with tournament play against Rhode Island on Friday at 7 p.m., Howard at 10 a.m., and Clemson at 7 p.m. Be sure to come out and support your Lady Lions Volleyball team!