Lady Warriors Can’t Taste Revenge                           Scranton Sweeps Lycoming Saturday and Tuesday

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.—For the second time in four days, Lycoming’s volleyball team fell in straight games to a talented Scranton squad. On Tuesday, the Lady Warriors welcomed the Lady Royals to Lamade Gymnasium, hoping to avenge a weekend loss at Scranton’s quad-match.

Lycoming was a last minute addition to the quad-match, replacing a team that had backed out. The Lady Warriors took on Susquehanna in the opening match. Playing top-notch volleyball, senior Cassie Kapson (Towanda, PA) led the team with 17 kills, while Beth Machella (Mechanicsburg, PA) recorded 11 digs. But after winning the second and fourth games, Lycoming dropped the fifth and deciding set, 15-13.

Perhaps, Tim McMahon’s squad was distracted after such a tough battle, because in the second match, the Lady Warriors were handled by Scranton, 30-14, 30-24, 30-17. Lycoming could only eye Tuesday’s rematch as a chance to exact revenge.

But first, Lycoming met Marywood in the final match at Scranton. The Lady Warriors took out their frustration on the Lady Pacers, sweeping the frame, 30-19, 30-12, 30-18. Lindsey Artz (Hegins, PA) and Hannah Stump (Mechanicsburg, PA) each compiled an amazing 31 kills for the entire day, while Danielle Busch (Claymont, DE) put up a total of 70 assists.

And then came Tuesday’s showdown…

Under the bright lights of Lamade, the Lady Warriors came out like a team on a mission. Artz, Kapson and Stump got good looks and pounded the ball, but Scranton took Lycoming’s best shots and always seemed to keep the ball alive. Three Lady Royals rang up double digit digs on the day, a testimony to their outstanding defensive play. Ultimately, Scranton outlasted the blue and gold in game one, 30-24.

Lycoming seemed to slump in the middle game, recording only five kills. The perpetual frustration of Scranton’s defense seemed to take the wind out of the Lady Warriors’ sails as the visitors rolled to a 30-18 win.

In game three, Lycoming rediscovered its fighting spirit. They grew a lead on the powerful right arm of Lindsey Artz, whose seven kills led all players in the final frame. But scrappy Scranton rallied late and gradually overcame the deficit. Battling to the bitter end, the pesky Lady Royals grabbed a 32-30 victory in the game’s final moments to close down the Lady Warriors.

Lycoming looks to turn it around this Saturday when they host Lebanon Valley and      Pitt-Johnstown in a tri-match. The Lady Warriors face Lebanon Valley at 10:00 a.m. and Pitt-Johnstown at 2:00p.m., with the middle match pitting the visitors against each other.