Lions' Rally Falls Short In Final Non-Conference Match

ROSEMONT, Pa. -- After falling behind 2-0, the Penn State Brandywine volleyball team evened the match at 2-2 before dropping the fifth and deciding set of a 3-2 defeat at Rosemont on Wednesday night.

The Lions dropped the first two sets by scores of 25-23 and 25-17, but mounted a comeback in the third frame. Brandywine ran out to a five-point lead, moving in front 10-5 following an ace by Gianna Anthony (Newtown Square, Pa./Sacred Heart Academy). The Lions pulled away, scoring five consecutive points via kills from Brandi James (Glenolden, Pa./Interboro) and Rikelle Taylor (Nottingham, Pa./Solanco) and three Raven errors and then closed out the third set thanks to a Rosemont serving error, winning 25-20.

Brandywine used two aces from James and a Taylor kill to take the lead early in the fourth set and never relinquished the advantage. Kills by James and Kira Thorne (Alconbury, England/Alconbury) provided the final two points of the stanza, which Brandywine claimed 25-18 to even the match at 2-2.

However, Rosemont controlled the final frame, tallying the first four points before moving in front by eight at 13-5. Brandywine closed to within five, but the Ravens recorded the final two points to hold off the Lions' rally.

Taylor led the comeback effort for Brandywine with a career-high 17 kills and six blocks. Amanda Floyd (Glenolden, Pa./Interboro) chipped in with seven kills, while Thorne tallied six and James added five. Madison Swenson (Chadds Ford, Pa./Kennett) set a career-best with 37 assists.

Floyd paced the defense by collecting 15 digs, while Anthony amassed 14 and matched James with a team-best three aces. James also recorded 12 digs and Swenson registered eight.

Brandywine (10-14, 9-1 PSUAC) travels to Penn State Wilkes-Barre Sunday for a 1:00 pm match.