On Thursday, Oct. 12, the Penn State Wilkes-Barre women's volleyball team took to their home court, ready to take on Penn State Hazleton at 7 p.m. The Lady Lions started off strong, gaining the first two points of the match. Right away, they knew they were against a strong team, neck and neck in points. The girls were diving for the ball, making many saves to get it back over the net.

Sophomore Armani Simmons made an ace while serving, the ball hitting the ground before Hazleton could respond. Many hits and serves became hard for the opposing team to return. After fighting hard in the first set, the score was 25-15 Hazleton. 

Wilkes-Barre made sure to communicate with each other to make good passes in the second set. #7 Sophomore Sierra Hildebrand made leaps and bounds, spiking the ball in areas Hazleton could not reach. Likewise, #15 freshman Jazmyne Bates spiked the ball over the net multiple times, giving the opposition no time to get their hands on the ball. 

#22 freshman setter Sarah Watkins used many bump passes to clear the net. Wilkes-Barre had a slow build back to Hazleton, but at the end of the second set, the score was again 25-15 Hazleton. 

In the last set of the match, #9 freshman Brianna Whitaker earned the first point by tapping the ball just over the net, leaving Hazleton with no chance to attack. Though Wilkes-Barre continued strong, the score of the third set was 25-16 Hazleton. 

Written by Kyler Burke