ALFRED STATE WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL WEAR FIRST CHAMPIONS' CROWN

The Alfred State College women's volleyball team capped the program's most successful season in the institution's history as NCAA members by winning the AMCC championship on Sunday and with it, a trip to the NCAA Division III tournament.  They are the first Alfred State team in any sport to advance to the national stage.

The top seeded Pioneers defeated the defending champions and #2 seed Penn State Behrend, 3-0.

Alfred State worked hard to stay ahead of the Lions in set one, with the score tied at 23 all before the Pioneers closed it out at 25-23.  Set two picked up where the first set left off, as the lead ping ponged throughout. The Pioneers took the lead for good at 19-18, and surged to a 25-19 finish.  Alfred State closed the door on the Lions in set 3, building a lead early and never relinquishing it for a 25-21 victory and the conference title.

ASC was led by SR MB Keturah Gregory (17 kills, .571 hitting percentage) and SR OH/MB Karleigh Haines (15 kills, .355 hitting percentage) and Nayomie Ferrer Santiago (36 assists, 10 digs).  Behrend got standout performances from JR OH Hannah Phillips (19 kills, 6 digs) and SR MH Brooke Joncas (16 kills, .424 hitting percentage).

Both teams had to hold off strong challenges in the semifinal round on Saturday.  #5 Penn State Altoona battled the Pioneers to the limit, with Alfred State emerging with a 3-2 decision.  Behrend faced down #3 Mount Aloysius College, winning 3-1 after dropping the opening set.

The NCAA Division III tournament selection show is scheduled for Monday at 1p.
 

All-Tournament Team
La Roche University: Quinn Hughes
Penn State Altoona:  Lydia Mock
Pitt-Bradford: Kaitlyn Sexton
Mount Aloysius College: Ashlee Parrish
Penn State Behrend:  Hannah Phillips, Brooke Jones
Alfred State College:  Nayomie Ferrer Santiago, Karleigh Haines