Anthony, Sarafinas Headline Four Named To All-PSUAC Volleyball Teams

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Senior Hannah Sarafinas (Downingtown, Pa./Downingtown West) and freshman Gianna Anthony (Newtown Square, Pa./Sacred Heart Academy) were both named First Team All-Penn State University Athletic Conference volleyball standouts, leading four student-athletes from Penn State Brandywine who earned postseason recognition on Friday.

Senior Brandi James (Glenolden, Pa./Interboro) and freshman Rebecca Gonzalez (Clearwater, Fla./Washburn Academy) were each named honorable mention all-PSUAC.

Sarafinas had the top season of her career during her final year at Brandywine, tying James for the team lead in kills with 131. She also ranked second on the team with 41 aces and 49 blocks, while adding 66 digs. Sarafinas set a career best with 13 kills in a five-set victory over Penn State Schuylkill early in October, one of two matches in which she posted a double-figure dig total, and tallied a career-high eight aces against Penn State Scranton on Oct. 9.

Anthony, named the top libero in the PSUAC East Division, produced a team-high 291 digs, the eighth-best total among PSUAC defenders. In 26 matches, Anthony recorded at least 20 digs three times, including a season-best 22-dig performance in a win over Schuylkill on Oct. 5. Anthony also topped the team in aces with 43 as she set down at least one ace in 20 of the Lions' 27 matches, while adding 31 assists and 21 kills.

James, playing her first season of volleyball after a 1,000-point, all-American career for the Brandywine women's basketball team, recorded 131 kills, matching Sarafinas for the top mark on the team. She also amassed 233 digs, ranking second to Anthony. James recorded at least 10 digs 12 times, including eight of the Lions' final 10 matches, and reached double figures in kills on three occasions.

Gonzalez registered the second-highest assist total among PSUAC East Division setters with 389, averaging nearly five per set. She set a season high with 36 assists against Schuylkill on Oct. 5, one of three matches in which she collected at least 25 helpers. Gonzalez also stands third on the team with 35 aces and fourth with 109 digs, while notching 34 kills.

In addition, sophomore Madison Swenson (Chadds Ford, Pa./Kennett) was Brandywine's selection for the John Fritz Sportsmanship Award. Named after former PSUAC Commissioner John Fritz, the sportsmanship award is given to one player from each team in the league who best displays the core values of the league and sportsmanship to teammates and opponents throughout the season. She recorded 148 assists and 60 digs in 17 matches this fall.

Brandywine will face Penn State Fayette in a PSUAC Tournament semifinal Monday night at 7:00 pm inside Penn State's Rec Hall.