LYCOMING VOLLEYBALL COMES UP SHORT IN NCAA PLAYOFFS

GETTYSBURG, Pa. – The Lycoming College volleyball team traveled to Gettysburg College to compete in the first round of the NCAA playoffs versus Eastern University, Thursday evening. The Warriors entered the tournament as the sixth seed and a decided underdog to the third seeded Eagles. Lycoming gave Eastern all they could handle for much of the match, but could not quite pull off the upset, falling in four games by scores of 28-30, 30-23, 20-30, and 23-30.

The Eagles showed why they were the higher seed early in the match, building a 15-9 advantage midway through the first game. The Warriors, however, settled down and went on a 10-4 run to tie the game at 19-19. Lycoming took their first lead of the match at 25-24, but it was short lived as Eastern scored the next three points to regain a two-point edge. The Eagles held onto the momentum and recorded the 30-28 victory.

In game two, the Warriors took control early, scoring the first three points and slowly building an 18-13 advantage. From there Lycoming would score nine straight points to take a commanding 27-13 lead. Eastern came roaring back scoring 10 of the next 12 points, but ultimately fell to the Warriors, 30-23.

The Eagles regained some composure in game three and held Lycoming at bay while building a slight 19-16 advantage. Eastern then called timeout and responded with a 9-2 run to take control of the game, eventually winning 30-20.

The Eagles maintained their momentum in the fourth game, using an early 7-0 run to open up a 10-3 lead. The Warriors chipped away at their deficit and pulled within three on two different occasions. But Eastern responded with five unanswered points of their own to take a comfortable 23-15 advantage. The two teams alternated points the rest of the way with the Eagles winning the game 30-23.

Lindsey Artz (So./Hegins, Pa.; Tri-Valley) led Lycoming with 20 kills, 15 digs, and four blocks in the match. Kelli Watson (Sr./East Freedom, Pa.; Central) added 17 kills and 18 digs, while Jana Reitz (Sr./Waynesboro, Pa.; Waynesboro) chipped in a team-high 25 digs and 10 kills. Seneca Reilly (Sr./Athens, Pa.; Athens) recorded 47 assists and 16 digs.

“I’m extremely proud of what the team accomplished this season,” said Warrior head coach Tim McMahon. “I’m especially happy for our three seniors who have worked so hard to build this program. Hopefully the underclassmen have learned from their example and can use this experience as a catalyst for next season.”

Lycoming finishes the 2004 season with an overall record of 16-20. Eastern advances to the regional semifinals against Gettysburg College with a record of 29-6.