AMCC WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL GAME OF THE WEEK - PENN ST. ALTOONA AT FRANCISCAN

Women's Volleyball Game of the Week: Penn State Altoona @ Franciscan University
(Wednesday, September 30, 7:00 PM)
Live Broadcast 

The match-up of Penn St. Altoona and Franciscan University is a rematch of the exciting 2014 AMCC women's volleyball championship. Penn St. Altoona entered the championship match on their home court and undefeated in conference play. After taking a quick 2-0 lead over the Barons, it appeared as though the Lady Lions were on their way to a championship. However, Franciscan didn't back down and rallied from behind to win three straight sets to claim the 2014 women's volleyball championship.

Penn St. Altoona enters the game of the week 6-8 overall and 2-0 in the AMCC. After a challening non-conference schedule to start the season, the Penn State Altoona women's volleyball team is hitting its stride. The Lady Lions have won five out of their last six matches, including AMCC wins last Saturday over D'Youville College and Hilbert College. The team will be looking to start its conference schedule 3-0 on Wednesday when it travels to take on defending champion Franciscan University, which edged Penn State Altoona 3-2 in last year's title match. The Lady Lions' senior hitters, Amanda Hammer and Becky Britton, are enjoying another solid season. Hammer ranks fifth in the AMCC in kills per set (2.38) and is 10th in kills (114), while Britton is 11th in kills (108) and 12th in kills per set (2.12). Sophomore middle hitter Tori Shingler has also been a strong presence, ranking second in the AMCC in hitting percentage (.341), third in solo blocks (21), sixth in kills (120), and seventh in kills per set (2.35). Sophomore setter Jenna Krivansky is third in the conference in assists per set (7.47) and fourth in total assists (381). Junior libero Emily Baker is the team's dig leader, ranking third in the AMCC in digs per set (5.16) and fourth in total digs (263).

Franciscan enters Wednesday night's match 5-11 overall and 2-0 in the AMCC as they look to defend their 2014 crown. Though the 2015 version of the Lady Barons may look different than the team that won it all last year, there is still quite a bit of firepower behind them. Leading the team and third in the conference is senior outside hitter Dani Link. Link currently has 133 kills on the season and posted a season-best 19 kills in the Lady Barons 3-2 loss to Washington & Jefferson. AMCC Pre-Season Player of the Year, senior Libero Sam Kelly, is having another standout season in the back line for the Lady Barons. Kelly currently leads the AMCC with 249 digs so far and is second with 5.35 digs per set. Freshman setter Becca Haven is fifth in the conference with 354 assists and is averaging 6.44 assists per set. Senior outside hitter Christina Lawrence is having solid senior season for the Lady Barons with 66 kills, 143 digs and 12 service aces so far. In conference action this season, FUS is averaging 10.67 kills per set and is hitting at a .264 clip. The Lady Barons are averaging 18.33 digs in conference sets. Franciscan swept both D'Youville and Hilbert to open conference action last week. As a team, the Lady Barons enter the match-up with Penn State Altoona third in the league with 607 kills, 553 assists, 91 service aces, 1059 digs and second with 88 total blocks.