LANGHORNE, PA- On a beautiful Wednesday evening, the Highlanders were back on the court in non-conference action, putting their skills to the test against the Penn State-Abington Nittany Lions.

FIRST SET

Despite a couple errors early in the first set, the Highlanders quickly responded with a plethora of kills from Allison Barnes and Lyntia Gwess to jump out to an early 10-8 lead over the Nittany Lions. The Highlanders continued to control the tempo of the set, fending off runs from Penn State Abington to hold a 22-18 lead.  The Highlanders finished off the set courtesy of consecutive kills from Brooke Seidel and Haley Sheehan to win the first set 25-19.

SECOND SET

The Highlanders continued their aggressive approach in the second set, rattling off 8 of the first 12 points to hold a commanding 8-4 lead early in the second set. The Nittany Lions cut the Highlander lead to only one point, 9-8, but Cairn quickly responded with a pair of service aces from Allison Barnes to take the momentum back, and extend the lead to 12-8.  However, the Nittany Lions came roaring back, cutting the deficit to 18-16 in the later portion of the second set. With the score tied at 23 apiece, the Highlanders used a timeout, with only two points between them and a second set victory. Unfortunately for the Highlanders, the Nittany Lions were prepared, collecting the final kills to take the second set, 25-23, and knotting the match up 1-1.

THIRD SET

With momentum on their side, the Nittany Lions continued to apply the pressure on the Highlanders defense, storming out to a 7-5 lead.  After a few uncharacteristic errors by the Highlanders, Head Coach Whitney Seidel utilized a timeout in an attempt to compose the Highlanders.  The timeout proved to be useful, as the Highlanders went on a crucial scoring run, capped off by another Brooke Seidel kill to knot the score up at 15-15 in the third set.  The Highlanders remained composed and showed grit in another close, competitive set, taking the set by a score of 25-22, and regaining the lead, 2-1.

FOURTH SET

Searching for the decisive 4th set victory, the Highlanders and Nittany Lions went back and forth en route to a 10-8 lead in favor of Penn State early in the set.  However, the Highlanders would not be denied, as they stormed back with 4 consecutive points, highlighted by a pair of kills by Allison Barnes and Brooke Seidel to give the Highlanders a 13-11 lead midway through the set.  Despite the Highlander scoring run, the Nittany Lions responded with a run of their own to regain the lead at 17-16. However, the Highlanders utilized a stupendous serving run by freshman MB Allison Barnes to cut the Nittany Lion lead to 21-20.  Despite the Highlanders best efforts, the Nittany Lions endured, taking the 4th set, 25-21, and sending the match to a winner-take-all 5th set.

FIFTH SET

The Nittany Lion came out guns blazing in the fifth and final set, tallying the first 5 points to put the Highlanders in an early hole.  Despite the brief mishap, the Highlanders got the momentum back off a thunderous kill from senior captain Haley Sheehan to swing the momentum back in the Highlanders favor.  The Highlanders kept that momentum going when Lyntia Gwess picked up a severely important block to cut the Nittany Lion lead to 7-4. However, the early deficit was simply too much to overcome, as the Nittany Lions continued to find openings in the Highlander back line, leading to a 15-8 victory in the decisive 5th set, taking the match 3-2.

WRAP UP

Despite the loss, the Highlanders showed promise heading back into conference play tomorrow. Lyntia Gwess led the Highlanders with 11 kills, while Allison Barnes and Haley Sheehan contributed 10 kills each. Brooke Seidel was also a huge asset for the Highlanders in the middle with 6 kills of her own, to go along with 2 blocks, and Liz White continued her quality play with 33 assists on the evening. The Highlanders will be back in action tomorrow to resume conference play against the Falcons of Cedar Crest. Game time scheduled for 7:00 PM.