LYCOMING VOLLEYBALL OUTLASTS FDU-FLORHAM; WINS FREEDOM CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – The Lycoming College volleyball team hosted FDU-Florham, Saturday evening, for the Freedom Conference Championship. The match was back-and-forth throughout, but the Warriors came back after being down two games to one and outlasted the Devils to win in five games. Lycoming won the first game 33-31, the fourth game 31-29 and the fifth game 15-12. FDU won the second and third games by scores of 30-25 and 30-22, respectively. The Warriors improve to 16-19 and claim their fifth Freedom Conference title. The Devils fall to 33-8.

In the opening game, Lycoming was the first to take control, methodically building a 20-15 lead. FDU, however, came roaring back to tie the game at 21 and then open up a four-point lead of their own at 26-22. The Warriors chipped away at their deficit but still faced a potential game-point for the Devils, trailing 28-29. Lycoming extended the match by scoring the next point, only to have FDU score again and serve for the game point. But the Warriors had one more comeback left in them and scored the next three points to secure the opening game.

Game two was close throughout until the Devils went on a late run, outscoring Lycoming 6-2 on the final eight serves.

In game three, the Warriors scored the first five points, but FDU battled back to tie the game at 12-12. The score remained tight for most of the contest with the Devils clinging to a 22-20 lead. Once again FDU went on a late run to pull away for a 30-22 victory.

Lycoming again started well in game four and looked to be in control with a 20-15 advantage. The Devils, however, ran off nine straight point to take a 24-20 lead, while sucking the air out of the Warriors’ playoff hopes. FDU crept closer to victory and maintained a 26-23 lead, when Lycoming made their move. Three straight points evened the score, but the Devils responded with two points of their own for a 28-26 lead. The two teams traded points and the Warriors’ season seemed all but over as FDU served for match-point with a 29-27 lead. This time it was Lycoming who responded by scoring four straight points to force a fifth game.

The Warriors carried their new found momentum into the final game building a 12-6 lead. The Devils, however, were not prepared to roll over, going on a six-point run to knot the game at 12-12. But they would never take the lead as Lycoming scored the final three points of the match to claim the victory and the conference title.

Lindsey Artz (So./Hegins, Pa.; Tri-Valley) led the Warriors with 24 kills and three blocks. Kelli Watson (Sr./East Freedom, Pa.; Central) added 22 kills and 19 digs. Jana Reitz (Sr./Waynesboro, Pa.; Waynesboro) tallied a team-high 20 digs while contributing 10 kills. Seneca Reilly (Sr./Athens, Pa.; Athens) recorded 53 assists in the match.

FDU was led by Megan Redd (Lakewood, Col.; Colorado Acad.) with 16 kills. Michelle Yered (Millis, Pa.; Millis) added 13 kills and Christa Sanfilippo (Spring, Texas; Klein) chipped in 12. Laura Mildbrand (Greenwood, Wisc.; Greenwood) led the team with 23 digs, while recording 11 kills. Erin LeBan (Downers Grove, Ill.; D.G. North) tallied 53 assists and 21 digs.

By winning the Freedom Conference, Lycoming receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Volleyball Championship tournament. The Warriors will wait for the NCAA to announce the first round pairings to learn when and where they will play next.      

Lycoming Volleyball 2004
FDU-Florham vs Lycoming Warriors (Nov 06, 2004 at Williamsport, Pa.)

Lycoming Warriors def. FDU-Florham 33-31,25-30,22-30,31-29,15-12 

FDU-Florham (33-8) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Megan Redd 16-0-2; Michelle Yered 13-0-4; Christa Sanfilippo 12-0-1; Laura Mildbrand 11-2-3; Deb Faber 10-1-4; Erin LeBan 5-1-4; Holly Farricy 2-0-0; Ashley Flora 0-3-0; Totals 69-7-9.0. (Assists) - Erin LeBan 53. (Dig leaders) - Laura Mildbrand 23; Erin LeBan 21; Holly Farricy 13; Ashley Flora 13; Lindsey Flora 9

Lycoming Warriors (16-19) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Lindsey Artz 24-1-3; Kelli Watson 22-1-2; Jana Reitz 10-1-2; Cassandra Kapson 10-0-2; Seneca Reilly 2-3-1; Jillian Bolesta 1-0-1; Totals 69-6-7.0. (Assists) - Seneca Reilly 58. (Dig leaders) - Jana Reitz 20; Kelli Watson 19; Lindsey Artz 10; Seneca Reilly 8

Site: Williamsport, Pa. (Lamade Gymnasium)
Date: Nov 06, 2004   Attend: 142   Time: 2:15