Box Score | Valley Forge Christian College
Box Score | Lancaster Bible College
LANGHORNE, PA - Following a three year run perched at the top, PBU's attempt to collect their fourth straight East Region banner fell short Thursday evening as the Crimson Eagles dropped a 3-0 decision to Lancaster Bible College in the title bout.
After steamrolling through Valley Forge Christian College during the opening round, PBU was upended by the top-seeded Chargers for the second time this year, signaling the first time Lancaster Bible has managed a sweep over the Crimson Eagles in over a decade.
During the squad's opening contest with the Patriots, PBU blitzed the red and blue with a .351 hitting percentage while serving up 14 aces, their third highest mark of the season. The second ranked Crimson Eagles ultimately upended the third seeded Valley Forge group by scores of 25-10, 25-14, 25-9.
Facing host Lancaster Bible College in the championship scuffle, the Chargers jumped on the visitors early. Fueled by a .393 hitting clip throughout the opening frame, the Chargers rolled to a dominating 25-12 triumph during the opening stanza that saw the host group spurt off a 15-2 run in the opening minutes of play.
PBU managed to close the gap during the final two games but nevertheless couldn't find a way to combat 13 costly service aces from LBC as the Chargers rolled 25-16, 25-23 over the final two sets. Trailing 23-20 in the final rally, the visitors made one last push and evened things at 23-apiece but Lancaster nonetheless managed to fend off the Crimson Eagles thanks to consecutive PBU errors to close things out.
The win signals Lancaster's first East Region Championship since 1989.
Carly Plank posted 11 kills and 7 digs in the losing effort while Rachel Calderon added 6 and 15, respectively. Rebekah Morrison provided 18 assists and 7 stops defensively from the setter spot.
The Crimson Eagles drop to 15-15 on the year while Lancaster Bible improves to 16-20.
The volleyball team will wrap up their regular season schedule on Saturday during a date with Centenary College on the road at 1:00 pm. A win against the Cyclones would clinch a spot in the CSAC postseason tournament.
