Volleyball advances to second straight title game

2022 USCAA Volleyball National Semifinal

Penn State Mont Alto (25-6 overall) 3, Cincinnati Clermont (21-8 overall) 0 (25-18, 25-21, 25-14)

In what was a rematch of the 2021 USCAA Volleyball National Championship, Penn State Mont Alto was able to exact revenge as it defeated Cincinnati Clermont in straight sets. With the win, the team advances to Saturday's championship contest to face a familiar foe in Penn State York. Penn State Mont Alto defeated Penn State York in three sets last evening to win the PSUAC Championship for the first time since 2003.

Set One- The first set was tied at 11 until Penn State Mont Alto was able to win the next four points, capped off by a Leslie Huckle kill from Kylie Denlinger. Mont Alto pushed the lead to as large as six in the first set with a 22-16 advantage late. An Alaina Smith service error gave Mont Alto its 23rd point of the set. With the score 24-18, Penn State Mont Alto ended the first set on an attack error by Kara Heckmuller. 

Set Two- A back and forth battle saw many ties and lead changes through the beginning of the second set. Mont Alto found itself in an early 12-9 hole before the were able to win the next six points capped off by four services aces from Zoey McCormack. Mont Alto led 16-12 midway through the second set. Cincinnati Clermont got as close to three points late, but Mont Alto was able to fight off a late surge to take the second set 25-21.

Set Three- Cincinnati Clermont was able to keep things close early on as they trailed 7-6. Mont Alto would take the next four points to take the lead 11-6, as Candice Baum recorded back-to-back kills. Penn State Mont Alto won 12 of the next 17 points of the match, leaving no doubt and shutting the door on Cincinnati Clermont by winning the third set by a final of 25-14.

Inside the Numbers: Leslie Huckle (12), Kylee Gooding (11) and Gracie Vaughn (11) each had more than double-digit kill numbers. Kylie Denlinger recorded 38 of the team's 39 assists in the match. Kylee Gooding (15) was the team's dig leader as Brooke Denlinger (11) and Kylie Denlinger (11) were close behind. Caroline Blickley had a good game defensively with three solo blocks and one assisted block.

Up Next: Penn State Mont Alto vs Penn State York... noon... USCAA National Championship Game... livestream can be found on USCAAsportsnetwork.com