Coach Pisano's Behrend Lions Win Home Invitational Championship
The
Penn State Behrend women’s volleyball team captured the 2006 Behrend Lions
Invitational championship with a swift 3-0 win over
the Fredonia State Blue Devils (6-4) on Saturday afternoon in the Junker
Center.
The blue and white handled Bethany (WV) 30-16, 30-20 and 32-30 in match one. Setter Brooke Gallentine (Mt.Pleasant/Southmoreland) earned 29 assists and eight digs in the win. Jenna Benzenhoefer (Murrysville/Franklin Regional) posted nine kills and six blocks while senior teammate Elaine Voltz (Saxonburg/Knoch) powered 13 kills kills and seven blocks.
"It was a collective team effort in the first match today against Bethany," said head coach Phil Pisano. "We were able to get some valuable experience for our younger players." Both Behrend and Fredonia State headed into the afternoon match at 3-0 in the tournament, but Penn State Behrend's squad was charged with energy captured their fourth straight match by a 3-0 score. Behrend defeated Fredonia 30-23, 30-21 and 30-20 behind tournament MVP Elaine Voltz who had 14 kills in the championship contest. Supporting the cause was Lisa Wagner (New Castle/Laurel) with 10 kills and 12 digs. Voltz was joined by teammate Brittany Hennessy, who worked for 39 digs on Saturday, on the all-tournament team along with Lauren Smith (Medaille), Patrice Collins (Kenyon), Lauren Spegal (Bethany), and Amy Bertrando (Fredonia).
"Capturing our home tournament and starting the season 5-0 is a great way to begin the year," said Pisano. "We have a lot of momentum right now and expect to be an even better team at next week's tournament."
Up next for Penn State Behrend will be a road tournament at Westminster College on September 15 and 16. Behrend opens against league opponent Pitt-Greensburg on Friday at 6:00 p.m. before battling Lake Erie and Grove City on Saturday.
For complete Behrend Lions Invitational tournament results go to the Behrend Lions schedule page.