Alabama
No. 1 Penn State
Volleyball Drops 3-0 Decision to No. 1 Penn State
8/29/2009 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Aug. 29, 2009
ST. LOUIS, Mo. - The volleyball team suffered a 3-0 (25-13, 25-10, 25-14) loss Saturday to No. 1 Penn State in its second match of the Active Ankle Challenge. The Crimson Tide now stands at 0-2 on the season with both its losses coming to top 20 teams.
Seniors Elizabeth Salstrand and Brooks Webster and freshman Kayla Fitterer each tallied five blocks to pace the Alabama offense. Junior Kayla Schmidt dished out a team-high 13 assists, and Webster topped all passers with 10 digs. Freshmen Kelsey Anderson and Fitterer both made their collegiate debuts in the match.
Alabama kept close early in the first behind a balanced offensive attack that included kills from Machen, Johnson, Meuth, Salstrand and Webster. Back-to-back kills from Salstrand put the Tide within three at 13-10, but an 8-1 run by Penn State sent the set out of reach. Nittany Lion junior Arielle Wilson and freshman Darcy Dorton teamed up for a block to close out the first 25-13.
Penn State came out blazing in the second with a 6-1 run and gradually built upon its lead from there. Midway through the set, Fitterer entered the lineup for the first time and provided an immediate offensive presence with a kill setting the score at 13-5. The Nittany Lions continued to distance themselves as the set went on and would eventually win the second 25-10.
In the third set, Alabama was able stay within five points of the Penn State lead throughout the first half. Redshirt Freshman Leigh Moyer laid down a kill off an assist from Schmidt to put the Tide within three at 12-9, but The Nittany Lions would respond with six-straight points. With the score set at 24-13, Alabama was able to extend the match one player longer as a Fitterer kill dropped in the open court.
Alabama will play in its final contest of the tournament at 5:00 p.m. (CST) when it takes on Miami (Ohio). The RedHawks opened the tournament with a 3-0 loss to Penn State and dropped a close 3-1 decision to Saint Louis in the opening match of the day.
