Match 1 - Rutgers Newark (Box Score)
Match 2 - Mount Aloysius (Box Score)
Match 3 - Stevenson University (Box Score)

LANGHORNE, PA – Apparently it doesn’t matter what their name is. Whether it be Villa Julie College or Stevenson University, one thing is for certain – the Mustangs can sure play.

It was eight meetings ago that the Crimson Eagle women’s volleyball team was last able to overcome the group formerly known as Villa Julie. Now, with the official new title of Stevenson University, the Mustangs weren’t about to let a name change thwart their historical dominance over the Crimson Eagles spanning the past four years.

Stevenson (7-0) by and large had their way with PBU in the Crimson Eagle Classic Championship Match, running away with the tournament title during an impressive 3-0 victory.

After tying things at 15-all in the opening set, the Mustangs went on a 10-4 tear to close things out in the opening game. PBU managed to keep things somewhat close in the second rally, but a -.020 hitting percentage – their lowest of the afternoon – ultimately left the Crimson Eagles in a 2-0 hole with much work to be done. But things would soon be out of reach for the host squad when Stevenson rattled off five straight points to go up 15-10 in the final game before taking reign of the title in the form of a 25-17 third-set victory.

Senior captain Becky Williams led the way by posting a double-double (13 digs, 11 kills), while fellow fourth-year captain Katy Kutzner added a similar count of 11 digs. Sophomore Carly Plank ended the match with eight kills and Kay Lynn Zeiset and Tanya Jendrek chipped in with eight and six digs, respectively.

Earlier in the day, PBU efficiently disposed of Rutgers-Newark (0-5) in three consecutive sets by scores of 25-11, 25-6, and 25-10. The Crimson Eagles limited the Scarlet Raiders to a -.200 hitting percentage - their best defensive showing so far thus year – and allowed Rutgers to tally just two kills throughout the three sets.

PBU also registered a season-high nine service aces in their first victory of the day, a win that helped the volleyball team avoid their first three game losing streak in over a full year, their last three game skid coming in November of ’06. Plank and sophomore Lindsay Dager both turned out a game high four kills in the contest, while classmate Kay Lynn Zeiset chipped in five digs on the defensive end to go with three aces.

Facing Mount Aloysius University (2-3) in their second match of pool play, PBU began things somewhat shaky. A determined Mounties squad took the floor, taking it to the host squad in the opening two sets by scores of 25-22 and 25-9.

But with their backs to the wall, PBU finally began to pull together, as made evident by their 25-13 thrashing of the Mounties in the following game that included a dominating 16-5 run to start things off. PBU followed up with wins of 25-16 and 15-7 in sets four and five to advance to the championship game.

Sophomore Betsy Ranck had perhaps the best single all-around performance of the season thus far against the Mounties, notching 42 assists, six digs, five serving aces, and seven kills in eight attempts (.875) to lead the way for the Crimson Eagles. Williams finished with a season high 21 kills in the match, while freshman Rebekah Morrison tallied 11. Jendrek added 11 digs in the victory.

With today’s events complete, PBU currently stands at 4-4 overall on the year. Congratulations to Betsy Ranck and Becky Williams, as both players were named to the all-tournament team for their efforts on the day.