Sharon, Pa – The Penn State Shenango Lady Lions volleyball had its chances but came out on the downside of an exciting five-set match with the visiting Kent State Tuscarawas on Saturday at The F.H. Buhl Club. The Lions gave a dominating performance in the fourth set to force the final set match, but eventually lost the fifth set in a 3-2 loss (17-25, 25-18, 17-25, 25-19, 15,11)

The match was the second for Penn State Shenango on this young season that sees them sitting with a 0-2 record. Kent State Tuscarawas improved to 2-5 on their season.

The First set saw The Lady Lions match serve for serve with Kent State, to where they sat knotted at 12-12, then The Lady Eagles pulled away to a 25-17 victory.

The Second set saw The Lady Lions take a 3-2 lead early behind the serving of Katie Richards, and then a commanding 8-2 lead under the hot handed Emily Filicky. The Lions closed out the set with five straight serve points from #11 Liv Vogel who led all Lions with 10 Aces on the day to even the match with a 25-18 lead.

The Third set proved to be a difficult one for Shenango as The Lady Eagles took a commanding 19-6 lead. The Lady Lions made a brief comeback bid led by Donique Marcella who brought then to within a 11-19 reach, before they succumbed to The Lady Eagles excellent defense and returns in the set to fall short 17-25.

The Fourth Set saw The Shenango Lady Lions exchange point for point with Kent State Tuscarawas to a 9-9 even draw. Vogel and Marcella took over once again for Shenango and led the team to an 18-11 lead. The Lady Eagles mounted a brief come back, but it was doused by excellent defensive play from Marcella and Richards. Emily Bortnick then helped the Lady Lions pull away with and excellent serving run that saw the Lady Lions pull out to a 20-14 lead.  Emily Filicky then closed out the set for Shenango for a 25-19 victory.

The Lady Lions were unable to capitalize on the high energy and intensity form the prior set. Kent State took a 4-3 lead early in the fifth set and never looked back taking the set 15-11 and won the match 3-2.

The Lady Lions showed a lot of moxie in this battle. They finished with 79 digs, including five in double-figures led by Marcella. Katie Richards led the team in kills with 11, and Emily Bortnick led the team in assists with 23.

Penn State Shenango is back on the road this week as they travel back to Allegheny County to battle Penn State New Kensington on Tuesday.