ERIE, Pa. - The Mount Aloysius women's volleyball team faced its first rematch with defending AMCC champion Penn State Behrend since last year's conference championship match, falling to the Lions 3-0 Tuesday afternoon at the Junker Center.
The Mounties battled throughout the match but ultimately dropped the three sets by scores of 25-18, 25-20 and 25-21. Mount Aloysius falls to 10-4 overall and 3-1 in AMCC play, while Behrend improves to 13-6 and 4-1 in conference action.
Mount Aloysius continued to compete shorthanded, with senior setter Reghyn Wilson (Harrisburg, Pa., Bishop McDevitt) and freshman middle Jasmine Coble (Lewisberry, Pa., Red Land) remaining sidelined.
Despite the loss, the Mounties saw a pair of players reach double figures in kills. Loren Stipanovich (Cresson, Pa, Penn Cambria) and Mackenzie Barr (Pittsburgh, Pa., Shaler) each recorded 10 kills to lead the Mount Aloysius attack, while Sarah Iman (Purgitsville, W.V., Moorefield) added three kills.
Kiersten Cummings (Las Vegas, Nev, Nevada State) returned to action and led the Mounties with 13 assists, while Keira Tracy (Conifer, Colo., Conifer) added seven and Madison Barr (Pittsburgh, Pa., Shaler) contributed three. Mad. Barr also paced the defensive effort with 15 digs, followed by Maya McIlwain (Rural Valley, Pa, West Shamokin) with eight and Cummings with six.
At the service line, Reagan Karcher (Marietta, Ohio, Marietta) and Mack. Barr each recorded two aces, while Mad. Barr added one. The Mounties totaled six aces as a team.
Eliyanna Ragain (Taylor, Mich., Riverview Community) led Mount Aloysius at the net with three blocks, while Kyler Freeman (Lucinda, Pa., North Clarion) and Mack. Barr each recorded two.
The Mounties showed their strongest offensive production in the third set, recording 14 kills while hitting .122. Behrend finished the match with a .196 hitting percentage compared to .099 for Mount Aloysius and held advantages in kills (39-30), aces (13-6) and blocks (7-5). The Mounties did hold a 52-44 edge in digs as well.
Mount Aloysius will look to bounce back Saturday afternoon when the Mounties finally return home after three straight road contests to host the Hilbert Hawks inside the ACWC. First serve is scheduled for 12 p.m.
Hilbert enters the matchup with a 6-12 overall record and a 1-4 mark in AMCC play. The Mounties will look to get back into the win column in front of the home crowd as they continue conference play this weekend.
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