Box Score
LANGHORNE, PA - If Wednesday's match with Arcadia University was any indication of how the rest of the season might shake out, head coach Julie Brubaker might need to stock up on a few more antacids.
The Crimson Eagles decided to use grit, drama, and flair during their 3-2 cliffhanger win over the Knights, opening up their 2010 slate in thrilling fashion.
After falling behind 2-0, PBU finally found their groove and began clicking on all cylinders. Arcadia sprinted out of the gates winning the opening two sets by similar 26-24 scores after limiting the Crimson Eagles to a sub .100 hitting percentage through both frames.
However, it would be PBU that would churn out a two point edge in the next stanza as the host group closed the margin to 2-1 behind a 25-23 effort. Sparked by 12 kills in the fourth frame, the Crimson Eagles posted a convincing 25-19 win, setting up a showdown in the fifth and deciding set.
Despite tallying just five kills in the final frame, PBU forced Arcadia into several untimely miscues to help spurn the crimson and black to a 17-15 triumph during their opening match of the season. It marks the fifth time in seven years that the volleyball program has managed a victory on opening day.
The host group held statistical advantages in nearly every category, bettering the Knights in hitting percentage, kills, aces, digs, and blocks.
"We definitely got off to a slow start tonight but we started to gel late and earned some points on our serves," noted head coach Julie Brubaker. "I thought our freshmen played really well - Erika and Ashleigh stepped up with some big serves in the fifth game, which was obviously a very critical time during the match."
Senior Carly Plank and sophomore Rachel Calderon combined for 37 of PBU's 54 spikes on the afternoon, while Katie Toewe put up a match high mark of 26 digs during her first taste of collegiate competition. Rebekah Morrison handed out 42 assists to supplement 12 digs for the evening.
The Crimson Eagles move to 1-0 on the year while Arcadia slips to 0-1.
PBU will head down south to compete in the Monarch Labor Day Invitational this weekend. The group begins action against Sweet Briar College in Fayetteville, NC on Friday afternoon.
