ALFRED STATE, PENN ST. ALTOONA SHOWDOWN SET FOR WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL FINAL

Alfred State College will face Penn State Altoona for the second time in as many years in the finals of the AMCC women's volleyball championship tournament.

The top seeded Pioneers eliminated #4 Mount Aloysius in straight sets (25-23, 25-21, 25-17) to earn a place in the finals for the third straight year.

Alfred State was powered by the 12 kill, 8 dig performance of OH Racquel Gerstenberger.  Setter Nayomie Ferrar added 25 assists in the winning effort, which raised the Pioneers' record to 20-6.

The Mounties scrapped to keep it close all three sets.  OH Molly Richards stepped up with 14 kills, 8 digs and 3 blocks, with MH Mackenzie Barr adding 9 kills.

The second semifinal was a rematch of a five set battle in the regular season between the two Penn State rivals, won by Altoona.  Their second meeting was no less contentious, but with Altoona prevailing once again, 3-1 (16-25, 25-18, 25-17, 25-23).

PSA was led by OH Lia Simanski (10 kills, 10 digs) and L Anna Batrus (17 digs).  Behrend got a standout effort from OH Cadence Jones with 22 kills and 13 digs.  Jones broke the single season kills record for Behrend with her performance.

The Lions are the defending champions, defeating the Pioneers on their home court in 2024, while Alfred State wore the crown in 2022.  The two teams shared the regular season champion title this year, posting identical 7-1 records in regular season play.  The Pioneers defeated Altoona, 3-1, earlier in the month while Behrend upended the Pioneers in 5 sets in October.

The championship match is slated for 1pm Sunday at the Orvis Activities Center at Alfred State.  The winner will earn the AMCC's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III tournament.