The KSU Tusc volleyball team continued to move forward with a much needed home victory over Penn State New Kensington on Saturday afternoon in Founders Hall Gym. In the hard fought four-set win, the Golden Eagles forged a titanic comeback in the fourth set to grab the victory, as they try to improve on their 12th place USCAA ranking. The top six teams are invited to the national tournament coming up in early November in Virginia Beach, VA.

Things started quickly for the Navy and Gold who took the opening set by a 25-11 count, but the visitors did not back down and took control to win the second set 25-20. The third set was even tighter as the two combatants traded blows until KSU strung together three straight points to take a 20-17 lead and eventually win 25-21 taking a 2-1 lead in the match. In the fourth set, the two teams battled back-and-forth early until PSU raced ahead to a decided 23-14 advantage just two set points away from tying the match.

The Golden Eagles however, battled feverishly on the strength of several Mya Blochlinger kills and strung together seven straight points to pull to within 23-21. The rally was also helped along by some great back row digging by Amaris Wells and Jamie Myers. Despite a pair of Lion timeouts to stem the rising tide and several never-ending volleys, the Eagles fought all the way back to take a 25-24 lead and eventually won 28-26 by outscoring PSNK 14-3 in the late stage of the set. The Eagles were in survivor-like mode throughout the last set.

With a record of 7-6 on the season, the KSU Tusc visit New Kensington next Saturday in a tri match with PSU Shenango. Shenango defeated the Golden Eagles in three straight sets a little more than a week ago on the Eagles home floor.

Ciera Romig and Jamie Myers make a great back row save.  

Mya Blochlinger makes a kills against PSNK.                        (Photos by Shilo Moore Little)