KUTZTOWN, PA. (September 11, 2009) – Kutztown University sophomore Cali Snell (York, PA/York Suburban) (York/York Suburban) is having fun rising up higher than anybody on the volleyball court to slam balls back at opponents all the while getting used to playing a different position. Snell is one of many reasons why the KU volleyball team is off to a quick start this season following a 3-0 victory over Felician College Friday night in the first round of the KU Challenge at Keystone Arena.

Snell finished with a pair of kills, five blocks and three assists as Kutztown clipped the Faclons, 25-18, 25-11, 25-13 to improve its record to 4-1. Sophomore Erin Kissling (York, PA/Central York) (York/Central York) was spectacular as she finished with a game-high 11 kills for KU, which finished with a season-best 41.

Last year, Snell was a middle blocker, this season, she has moved to the right side of the floor and it has given the Golden Bears some more firepower. The move has agreed with everybody.

“I like it a lot,” Snell said of the move. “I am a first tempo hitter and even though I am on a different part of the court, I still get to play fast. I like the fact we have two setters because you get two perspectives and two different ideas on how to run a team. It's definitely been a good change.”

Sliding Snell outside has given Gump a pair of six-footers to line-up on the right side. Snell and Katie Miller (Elizabethtown, PA/Elizabethtown) (Elizabethtown/Elizabethtown) are on the right side for the Golden Bears. With an incredible set of springs, it appears as if times, Snell is flying through the air to block a shot or get a kill. Snell, a business communications major, has been a quiet force during the Golden Bears' early season success.

“I enjoy trying new experiences even though I had been a middle blocker my whole life,” Snell said. “I was set in my ways when I first came here because I was used to a certain way. But coach has really helped me and he has made me open to change plus when I started doing things his way, I started to see the results.”

Gump began experimenting with Snell during pre-season practices. He noticed that she started to catch on fast. Snell enjoyed the varying practice routines and it paid off as she finished with nine kills in the Golden Bears opening game against Chowan University. In her next game, she added a season-high 12 kills against Elizabeth City State University.

“She gives us a big blocker on the right side,” Gump said. “As she gets more comfortable over there, she's only going to get better.”

The Golden Bears didn't begin seeing some positive results in their match against Felician until they found themselves, trailing, 8-3, at the beginning of the second game. After that the match belonged to Kutztown as the Golden Bears scored 22 of the next 25 points to win the second game. The Golden Bears then smashed 19 kills to win the third game.

Junior Lindsey Confer (Wingate/Bald Eagle), freshman Brianna Risch (Coatesville, PA/Coatesville) (Coatesville/Coatesville) and Miller each finished with six kills. The freshman duo of Dana Wright (Warminster, PA/Saint Basil Academy) (Warminster/St. Basil Academy) and Kimberlee Gomber (Washington, PA/Washington) (Washington/Washington) combined for 29 assists. Wright had a team-high 18 assists. Katie Lutz (Greencastle, PA/Greencastle Antrim) (Greencastle/Greencastle-Antrim) finished with five kills. Lindsey Smith (Hanover, PA/Delone Catholic) (Hanover/Delone Catholic) had four service aces to lead Kutztown. Wright and Jamie Celia (Douglassville, PA/Daniel Boone) (Douglasville/Daniel Boone) added seven digs each to complete a well-balanced effort for the Golden Bears.

“I was encouraged with how we responded in game two after falling behind 8-3,” Gump said. “I thought we were sloppy early on but from that point on, we were able to control the match. That's how we're going to have to play if we're going be to be successful.”

Kutztown continues the Challenge Saturday morning when it hosts Mercy at 10 a.m. and New York Tech at 4:30 p.m.