KUTZTOWN, PA (October 16, 2010)— The Kutztown University women's volleyball team had plenty of reasons to celebrate before, during, and after its 3-1 victory over East Stroudsburg University in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) game Saturday night. (BOXSCORE)
The Golden Bears (17-7 overall, 7-7 PSAC East) celebrated senior day, honored Lindsay Confer for achieving 1,000 career kills, and surpassed their win total from 2009.
Coming off of a big victory Friday evening against reigning PSAC East champ Lock Haven, the Golden Bears had no intentions of letting up. Although the match was filled with many tears, KU put aside its feelings and pulled together as a team to overcome ESU 25-23, 25-10, 23-25, and 25-17. Kutztown ran its winning streak to three matches.
Yellow flowers trimmed with pink edges, colorful balloons, gold streamers, and white banners with each senior's name decorated Keystone Arena. The pregame celebration was a tribute to seniors Nora Alexander, Jamie Celia, Kelsey Nester, Megan O'Connell, and Confer, who played their final regular season home match.
As each name was called, the senior met a teammate in the middle of floor and was greeted with pink and yellow roses. Big smiles were met with streams of tears from nearly every member of the volleyball team as they hugged and congratulated each other.
Confer had the biggest smile of the day.
In the second set, she forcefully attacked the ball and sent it to the floor for a KU point. Kutztown head coach John Gump immediately called a timeout. Confer had a calm demeanor. As the public address announcer mentioned that Confer had reached 1,000 kills, the fans and Golden Bears stood and applauded her achievements, as Confer's smile lit up the entire gym. Her teammates were more excited than Confer because she knew she had more work to do. Confer had 18 kills against the Warriors.
“This feels so good,” said Confer, as she emotionally explained what it meant to join the 1,000-kill club. “Getting it on senior day and at home was what I wanted to do and it's so amazing. I've put in a lot of hard work over the past four years.”
With 1,011 career kills, Confer joins Sarah Knaub, who was inducted into the KU Hall of Fame Friday night, Angie Rideout, Missy Kline, Danni Witherite and Sarah Brandon as members of the KU volleyball distinguished 1,000-kill club.
“She's an outstanding player and better person,” Gump said. “I'm thrilled she reached this milestone at home.”
Confer wasn't the only senior who reached a career highlight. Celia added to her school record by notching her 200th career service ace. Celia finished with five service aces to raise her career total to. 202. Celia also added 20 digs. Celia is seventh in the PSAC in digs (4.86 per game).
“I was a little concerned about our focus after such a big win last night and senior day today,” Gump said. “Our kids did a great job of getting past the distractions to beat a tough opponent.”
The victory was filled with laughs and sniffles from tears, cheers, and excitement. The seniors of the KU volleyball team will be missed, but they aren't done yet. The Golden Bears know they have a long road ahead of them -- literally as their final five matches are away. With its goal of participating in the PSAC playoffs, Kutztown will continue to work hard, practice, and take it one day at a time.
The Golden Bears return back to action Tuesday as they travel to West Chester for a tough PSAC game beginning at 7 p.m.
--KU--
