Box Score
LANGHORNE, PA - It's the goal of every coach to get one's team playing their best ball of the season down the stretch. Although easier said than done, the Crimson Eagles have managed to do just that throughout the past week of action.
After getting washed out by Neumann University during the regular season in a 3-0 Knight sweep, the Crimson Eagles made sure to turn the tide when it counted Thursday evening during the semi-finals of the CSAC tournament. PBU clawed to a 3-2 victory over the second seeded Knights, triumphing by scores of 25-21, 21-25, 25-15, 24-26, 15-13.
The win vaults the Crimson Eagles into the CSAC Championship, marking the first time a PBU team - in any sport - has been able to make a run into the final game throughout the school's two-year tenure with the CSAC. It took a gut-wrenching, grind-it-out type of performance to get there, but nonetheless PBU will now have the opportunity to vie for the program's second-ever berth into the NCAA National Tournament.
On Thursday, the Crimson Eagles almost let things slip away despite gaining the upper hand early on. PBU would jump out to a 2-1 lead through three games and would be in prime position to put things away deep into the fourth set. The visitors held a 24-22 edge in the waning moments of the game before surrendering the final four points of the rally to succumb to their counterpart.
Heading into the fifth and final game, the Crimson Eagles would take a 14-9 lead before allowing a twist of drama to unfold down the stretch. Neumann would pump out the ensuing four straight points to battle back to a 14-13 margin, but a PBU spike on the final point would help give the Crimson Eagles the victory and a shot at the CSAC title.
Betsy Ranck churned out 41 assists in the win to go with 12 digs and three block assists. Carly Plank produced game high marks of 17 kills and 18 digs and Rachel Calderon connected for 15 kills and 13 defensive stops. Kay Lynn Zeiset added 22 digs and three aces for the visitors.
The Crimson Eagles will go up against Cabrini College during the CSAC Championship this Saturday at 5:00 pm. The top-seeded Cavaliers posted a 3-0 triumph over PBU back in late September. The match will be played at Immaculata University as part of the CSAC's Championship Weekend.
