BOX SCORE

Reading, Pa. (Oct. 14, 2006) – Junior outside hitter Amy Sikorski (Topton, PA/Brandywine Heights) racked up a match-high 25 kills to lead Alvernia College to a 3-0 win over Arcadia University Saturday afternoon in Pennsylvania Athletic Conference women’s volleyball action at the Physical Education Center.

            Arcadia (8-10, 4-5 PAC) forced a side out trailing 25-29 in the opening game and stormed back to take a 30-29 lead that prompted Alvernia’s second timeout of the game.  The Crusaders (5-6, 4-3 PAC) rallied out of the timeout forcing a side out on the serve of Arcadia junior Alex Cann (Mariposa, CA/Mariposa County) to knot the score at 30-all and junior Cassie Reber (Wyomissing, PA/Wilson) earned two straight points on serve for the 32-30 game one win.

            Game two was not nearly as dramatic with Reber serving five straight points midway through the game for a 15-6 Alvernia lead.  The lead remained a comfortable margin for the hosts who eventually took a 30-24 decision in game two.

            Sophomore setter Lauren Crimi (Nazareth, PA/Notre Dame) took over as the serving star of game three bringing Alvernia back from a 27-25 deficit with three straight points for a 28-27 lead.  Arcadia followed with a side out and a point for a 29-28 lead, but could not close the deal on the ensuing serve.  Sikorski served for a 30-29 Alvernia lead and after an Arcadia timeout, closed the match with the final serve of the day.

            Sikorski recorded a .548 hitting percentage in the match with just two errors on 42 swings and Crimi finished the day with 45 assists and 13 digs.  Sophomore Jenn Stigura (Barto, PA/Central Catholic) led the Crusaders’ defensive efforts with a match-high 14 digs.

            Alvernia will continue the conference schedule on Wednesday with an evening trip to Rosemont College.

Alvernia 3, Arcadia 0