Box Score
LANGHORNE, PA - What a day for Becky Williams. For the first time in Williams' four-year career, the senior out of Maple Valley, WA can say she has beaten Messiah. And, for the first time in her career, Williams can claim official membership in the prestigious 1,000 kill club.
On a weekend honoring alumni, friends, and students of PBU, the Crimson Eagles honored one of their own during a signature win Saturday morning, downing visiting Messiah College in the process by a count of 3-1. The victory marks PBU’s first ever against the Falcons as the Crimson Eagles had fallen victim to Messiah the last four straight years and were 0-5 against the Falcons all-time entering Saturday’s contest.
But behind Williams’ 19 kill, 12 dig effort - who, for the record, just missed her third 20 kill match of the season - the Crimson Eagles made sure to erase any recollection of traditional Messiah dominance as the host squad overcame the Falcons by scores of 23-25, 25-19, 25-19, 25-19.
Saturday’s win was anything but easy as PBU - holding a 22-18 lead in the first set - blew a late game advantage allowing Messiah to pull out a somewhat miraculous 25-23 first game victory sparked by a 7-1 rally.
In a 1-0 hole, the Crimson Eagles pulled together and this time rattled off their own 7-1 run after being deadlocked at 18-apiece to pull out a 25-19 win in game two.
Riding a burst of momentum, PBU managed two additional triumphs by similar scores of 25-19 in the final two games that included Williams’ 1000th kill midway through the third stanza. Following Saturday’s contest, Williams’ currently sits with 1,005 career kills to go with 1,185 career digs.
PBU’s supporting cast was great - if not spectacular - in the win, as three players not named Williams also managed double digit digs, including junior Kay Lynn Zeiset’s game high of 20. Sophomore Carly Plank chipped in with 11 digs and eight kills, while fourth-year senior Katy Kutzner pumped out 12 digs on the defensive end. Rookie Rebekah Morrison posted 10 kills and six digs on a .250 hitting clip.
The Crimson Eagles move to 15-7 overall on the year while Messiah slips to 9-5.
The team will look to keep their conference record unblemished when PBU hosts Rosemont College on Wednesday in the Mason Activity Center at 7:00 pm.
