MIDDLETOWN, Pa. - Penn State Harrisburg's women's volleyball team swept in tri-match action on Saturday, September 20 against Pitt Greensburg and NJCU at the Capital Union Building. The Lions opened up with a 3-0 victory over the Bobcats before completing the sweep in a win against NJCU in the nightcap.


GAME 1
Penn State Harrisburg (6-3) started the first set with a steady performance, quickly capitalizing on an attack error by Pitt-Greensburg's Ca'Mari Walden to take an early lead. Mackenzy Miller was instrumental, providing multiple assists, including those leading to key kills by Brianna Ondishin Ribon, who recorded six kills in the set. Hannah DeGregory contributed significantly with a service ace and multiple assists, including a pivotal set to Alex Jurney for the final point, securing a decisive 25-12 win in the opening set.


The Lions established an early edge once again in the second set, thanks in part to a kill by Ondishin Ribon which gave the home team a 4-1 advantage. Camryn Wettstone had multiple kills, including a decisive one at 24-22, which was assisted by Miller. The set concluded with a service ace from Nicole Dos Santos, sealing the 25-22 victory for Harrisburg.


In the final frame, Miller sparked a 5-0 run to start the set, including two service aces and a kill by Charlotte Nguyen. Dos Santos continued the momentum with a string of three service aces, extending the lead to 10-1. Wettstone's consistent attacks, combined with assists from Tobi West, helped maintain the lead, while Emily Miller and Oliva added key points to keep the pressure on the Bobcats (1-11). Penn State Harrisburg closed the set 25-13 with Jurney's decisive final kill, securing the game one sweep.


GAME 2
The opening set of the nightcap between Penn State Harrisburg (7-3) and NJCU (8-1) saw a competitive start, but the home team established a lead thanks to 4-0 run that was highlighted by Bukowski's service ace and effective blocking by Jurney. Ondishin Ribon had back-to-back kills, followed by another kill from Jurney to lead the Lions to a set one victory 25-12.


Despite a surge by the Gothic Knights that pushed them ahead with a 10-5 lead in the second set, the home team rallied with DeGregory at the helm, as the Lions scored six consecutive points, including two service aces, and took a 13-10 advantage. The set remained tight, reaching a 21-21 tie, but E. Miller's crucial kill, followed by an ace from Jurney, secured a 25-22 victory.


Penn State Harrisburg's serving was on display once again in the final set of the day, as Jurney delivered two consecutive aces to extend the Lions' lead 11-7. Ondishin Ribon recorded three important kills in the back half of the frame that gave the home team just the edge they needed to seal the complete-day sweep.


NOTABLES
- Ondishin Ribon recorded a double-double in the opener with 11 kills and 13 digs, and added 12 more kills against the Gothic Knights.
- M. Miller tallied a total of 31 assists, 12 digs, four aces through both games on Saturday.
- Wettstone surpassed double-digit kills (11) against the Bobcats.
- Dos Santos led the Lions with nine aces, to go along with 13 digs between both contests.
- DeGregory did a little bit of everything on the weekend, chipping in 13 assists, nine kills, eight digs, and a pair of aces.
- Bukowski earned 20 total digs on the day, while Jurney contributed three service aces in game two.
- E. Miller, Oliva, and Jurney all had five kills apiece in the opener.
- The Lions impressed when they were in control of the serves, as the team totaled 21 service aces on the day.
- The home team tallied double-digits kills in all three sets against the Bobcats, adding up to 43 kills.


WHO'S NEXT?
Penn State Harrisburg continues non-conference action at the Capital Union Building against Mount Aloysius on Tuesday evening, September 23 at 7 p.m.


STAY CONNECTED
Fans can keep up with Penn State Harrisburg Athletics all season long on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube using the handle @pshbgathletics.