Pioneers Down Altoona in Five Sets

The Alfred State volleyball team won the final two sets as they rallied for a 25-22, 17-25, 25-27, 25-18, 15-10 victory over Penn State Altoona in their opening match of the Lycoming Tip-off Tournament. The Pioneers are now 7-6 on the year.

In the opening set, the Pioneers collected 13 kills and three aces as they raced to the early lead. Altoona reversed the action in the 2nd set and used 10 kills and a .280 hitting percentage to even it up. The 3rd set was a back and forth affair as Altoona scored the final four points to take the 2-1 lead. In the 4th set, Alfred State led 10-9 and then scored seven of the next 10 points to take control and force a deciding set.

In the deciding set, Alfred State scored the first three points and then used five service aces to earn the tight victory. The Pioneers also collected six kills in the set compared to Altoona's three.

Madison Webster (Corning) led the team with 18 kills and 22 digs. Sarah Raichlin (Binghamton/Chenango Valley) passed out 43 assists and had 12 digs, Kiara Perkins (Coudersport, PA) recorded 16 kills and five service aces, and Jordan Stauffeneker (Lansing) chipped in 15 digs. Mya VanDuyne (Newark) finished with seven kills and four aces.

The Pioneers collected 50 kills and 18 services in the match.

The blue & gold continue play at the Lycoming Tournament tomorrow when they play a pair of matches. They take on Medaille at Noon and they take on the hosts at 4 p.m.