PITT-BRADFORD, PENN ST. ALTOONA TO SQUARE OFF IN VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

Top seeded Pitt-Bradford (24-5) and #2 Penn St. Altoona (13-12) will play for the AMCC volleyball title on Sunday at 1pm.

The host Panthers, who completed the regular season with a perfect 9-0 record in conference play, defeated #5 D'Youville College (8-17) in straight sets (25-14, 25-19, 25-23).  UPB got strong performances from Kirsten Platz (9 kills, 5 blocks) and Christina Rauh (9.7 apg) en route to a convincing win over the Spartans.  D'Youville was led by the balanced attack of Julie Fleming (8 kills), Kendyll Smith (6 kills) and Megan Schneider (6 kills).  The Spartans earned a spot in the semifinals on the strength of an upset on the road of defending champion Franciscan University in a 5 set thriller Wednesday.

Penn St. Altoona had their hands full with #3 seed La Roche College (10-16).  After dropping the first two sets (25-21, 25-17), the Lions clawed their way back to win the next three (25-17, 25-16, 15-12).  Kelsey Bristol (16 kills), Josie Stovall (15 kills) and Lauren Diller (13 kills) combined for powerful net presence for PSA, while Laura Nath (22 kills) and Hannah Scott (36 digs) provided a substantial counterweight for the Redhawks.

Pitt-Bradford swept Penn St. Altoona in their regular season match up in late September.  Both squads have won their past six in a row.  The winner on Sunday will receive the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III tournament.