Brandywine Picks Up 3-0 PSUAC Triumph

MEDIA, Pa. -- Penn State Brandywine improved its Penn State University Athletic Conference record to 5-1 following a 3-0 (25-11, 25-10, 25-21) triumph over Penn State Hazleton on Thursday night.

Mackenzie Kelly (Downingtown, Pa./Downingtown East) paced the offense with 10 kills, while Jordan Thompson (Aston, Pa./Sun Valley) produced seven and Laura de Jesus (Santo Domingo, D.R./New Horizons) added five.

Madison Swenson (Chadds Ford, Pa./Kennett) dished out 21 assists and Aneesa Freeman (Chester, Pa./Chester Charter Scholars Academy) collected eight, while Suzie Alvarenga (Fullerton, Calif./Notre Dame Academy) set down seven of the Lions' 13 aces.

Brandywine used a 5-0 spurt capped by a Thompson ace to take a commanding 11-point lead in the first set and rolled to a 25-11 opening set win following five consecutive kills, the final two coming from Anna Ramirez (Exton, Pa./Downingtown East).

Kelly tallied three kills during a 9-0 run that gave the Lions a seven-point edge during set No. 2. Hazleton closed within four at 13-9, but the Lions ripped off 10 consecutive points, aided by three Alvarenga aces, to claim the set.

Hazleton owned a 14-13 lead during the final stanza, but kills from Thompson and Kelly put Brandywine in front for good. Thompson produced five kills during the final set.

Alvarenga posted a match-best 18 digs, while Kelly and Lexie Berry (Brookhaven, Pa./Daegu) both collected eight. De Jesus registered four blocks, three of which were solo.

Brandywine (6-3, 5-1 PSUAC) is at home Saturday for its annual Dig Pink match against Penn State Scranton beginning at noon.