Central Penn College Volleyball Season Begins

The Central Penn College Lady Knights (1-1) will play host to USCAA opponent Penn State York (0-0) on Tuesday, September 2. The home opener will be held at East Pennsboro High School at 7 p.m.

After an 8-12 campaign in their first season in 2013, the Lady Knights started their 2014 women's volleyball season by defeating Trinity Washington University and losing an intense match to Valley Forge Christian College in Phoenixville, Pa. on Friday.

The Lady Knights played Trinity (Washington, D.C.) in their first game of the evening, earning the win in three straight sets, 25-13, 25-14, 25-14. Central Penn led 19-4 at one point in the third game. Danielle Crone (New Oxford, Pa.) owned the middle and recorded six kills, three blocks and two aces. Janay Nelson (Clinton, Md.) added four kills and four aces, while Bachelle Upshur (Brooklyn, N.Y.) contributed with two kills, two blocks and one ace.

The Lady Knights quickly focused themselves on the host team, the Valley Forge Patriots. A tough NCAA Division III opponent, Valley Forge had already won their match with Trinity Washington in three games. With only three returning players, the young Central Penn team took the floor to a packed gym of Patriot fans. After playing well but falling to the Patriots 25-14 in the first two games, the Lady Knights rebounded and played with relentless desire. The third game remained close throughout and the Lady Knights found themselves tied 21-21, pushing to force a fourth game. The intensity built with each play down the stretch as fans cheered every big hit and diving save. The Patriots edged ahead and with a well-placed serve, closed the game out 25-23 to give Central Penn a heartbreaking first loss to their season. Freshman setter Alexa Christman (New Holland, Pa.) finished the game with 11 assists. Crone added six kills, two digs and one ace. Nelson pitched in four kills, seven digs, one assist and one block. Upshur gave the Lady Knights one kill, one assist, two digs and two blocks. Tremendous play was given by freshman Jacqualyn Weber, who made great efforts to record eight digs and one kill.

"I couldn't be more proud of this team," states head coach Jason Barshinger. "We've gone through a lot this past week with injuries and needed to majorly change our lineup and system. This group played with all their heart, gave everything and then gave a little more. We continued to get stronger as the night progressed and to play that way speaks volumes about what we're doing here with this program."

Barshinger believes that the best is yet to come.

"There's so much potential with this group because they have the right attitude," explains Barshinger. "We don't fear anyone and we won't back down. It's just how we do things here. That demeanor will always be shown in this program, but this group of players exemplifies it."