WEST CHESTER, PA (September 10, 2010) – Jamie Celia became the all-time Kutztown leader in service aces during the Golden Bears' 3-0 victory over Post University Friday afternoon at the West Chester Ram Fest. Later in the afternoon, the Golden Bears finished a perfect day by beating New York Institute of Technology. (PHOTO GALLERY) BOXSCORES TO BE POSTED SATURDAY
With the third set against Post locked at 17-17, Celia passed Nicole Buiso in service aces with a timely one that gave the Golden Bears the lead. She finished with four service aces against Post and three against NYIT to raise her career total to 165.
More importantly for Celia, the milestone occurred during a victory in which Kutztown finished off Post, 25-22, 25-11, 25-21.
“It's awesome,” Celia said of becoming the all-time leader in service aces. “To think of all the people who set records here at Kutztown and I am just along with them, is pretty surreal. It means a lot because I played with Nicole and I know how hard she worked when she was here. Coach texted her the other day to let her know how close I was and she said she was going to cause me bodily harm. Seriously though, a record like this makes you acknowledge how far she came. This is quite the achievement and something I don't take lightly.”
In addition to her service aces, Celia had 10 digs. She received plenty of assistance from her teammates. Cait Hess had nine kills and Erin Kissling added seven kills along with two blocks. Lindsay Confer contributed six kills. Cali Snell collected five kills and five blocks. Briana Risch had six blocks. Finally, Dana Wright finished with 20 assists, the fourth time this season she had 20 or more helpers.
In the 26-24, 25-20, 25-13 victory over NYIT, Confer finished with a team-high 11 kills and 11 digs. Hess was in the middle of the action with eight kills and four blocks. Gomber had 18 assists for the Golden Bears, who at 6-0 overall are off to their best start since 2006.
“New York Tech came out and really pushed us,” Kutztown University head coach John Gump said. “Our players responded very well and were in complete control at the end. Our setters used the offense well and it was our best defensive effort of the year.”
However, this day belonged to Celia.
Celia has enjoyed a nice career from the time she stepped into a maroon-and-gold uniform. An art education major, Celia has thrived while playing a multitude of positions. As a freshman and sophomore, Celia was a solid setter as she accumulated 978 assists.
Last season, Celia moved back to natural position of libero and earned second team all-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Eastern Division honors. Celia is also six assists away from reaching 1,000 for her career.
“I never expected to set records when I came here,” Celia said. “I've worked on serving for so long. I know I have a good serve that's tough to pass, but I never thought it would go this far. It's nice.”
Celia had 60 service aces as a freshman, 39 as a sophomore and 51 as a junior. This season, she leads Kutztown with 15 service aces. Celia is also fourth on the all-time Kutztown list in digs.
"I'm happy for Jamie because she's been a big part of this program for the past four years and has earned this milestone," Gump said. "Her serve has really been a weapon for us and in addition to the aces, she also disrupts what our opponents want to do on offense and we get lots of easy opportunities as a result of the problems she causes other teams."
While the numbers and accolades have been nice for Celia, what has stood out has been her gold-medal personality. She is fiery on the court and affable off of it. Celia is always in good spirits and usually sharing a laugh or two with her teammates. Celia is happy that she was able to share this afternoon with her senior buddies Nora Alexander, Megan O'Connell, Kelsey Nester and Confer. In fact, Alexander cried when Celia surpassed Buiso.
“I wouldn't want to finish out my college career any other way than being around my teammates,” Celia said. “I love them like they're my sisters. I know I wouldn't be able to do what I do without being pushed by my teammates.”
Kutztown continues the Ram Fest Saturday morning when it plays Chestnut Hill at 10 a.m. and Barton College at noon. Both games will be played at Hollinger Fieldhouse.
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