CHEYNEY, PA (September 17, 2010)—The Kutztown University women's volleyball team predicted that it would come out of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference crossover matches more sweatier and scraped up. Numerous and untiring efforts by the Golden Bears did not go unrecognized in their 3-2 loss against Mercyhurst College (BOXSCORE) and 3-0 defeat to Edinboro University (BOXSCORE).

After losing the first two games, 25-19, 26-24 to Mercyhurst, KU reached deep within and won the next two matches, 25-16, 25-17 to force a decisive fifth game. Unfortunately for KU, the Lakers prevailed, 15-7, in the final game.

“There were a couple of big plays we missed in game five and with it being a short game, those missed opportunities were magnified,” Kutztown head coach John Gump said.

The determination of KU showed as three players finished with double digit kills led by Cait Hess and Erin Kissling, who each finished with a team-high 11 kills. Cali Snell (York, PA/York Suburban) posted 10 kills and four blocks. The willpower the Golden Bears displayed was a team effort as Dana Wright recorded 20 assists and Kimberlee Gomber added 17 assists.

After the first two games, KU continued to work and eventually found a plan of attack that was successful. Jamie Celia, Kelsey Nester,  Lindsey Smith, Wright,and Gomber combined for 43 digs.

“We kept working and our blocking improved dramatically in game three and four,” Gump said. “When our defense is good, our transition offense is good. Once we get that going we can be difficult to stop.”

While everyone efforts were appreciated, the performance of the setters was highly commendable.

“They recognized what was working and did a great job of getting the ball to their teammates,” Gump said. “Kim and Dana have done really well in running the offense and recognizing how to attack an opponent.”

Although KU was not able to come out with any victories, the Golden Bears learned a valuable lesson in the matches against Edinboro and Mercyhurst.

“We learned we are a really good team and we can compete with anybody,” said Brianna Risch. “We just need to fix the little things.”

Added Gump: “We played better today than we have all year. We learned that our offense can bang with anybody. We just need to be consistent and once we take care of the little things, the big things will fall into place.”

Keeping the same attitude, intensity, and drive, KU will strive to fix those little things and focus on improving and taking these lessons into PSAC East division play.

The Golden Bears will conclude the PSAC crossover matches tomorrow as they face Gannon University at 12:30 p.m. in Cheyney University's Cope Hall.

In the Golden Bears' first match of the afternoon:

Edinboro 3, Kutztown 0

In falling 25-18, 20-25, 25-17, Kutztown was led by Cait Hess (Newark, DE/St. Mark's) with nine kills. Also aiding in KU's tireless efforts were Cali Snell (York, PA/York Suburban) with five kills and Erin Kissling (York, PA/Central York) with three kills. Jaime Ceilia had seven digs.

Although the Golden Bears received their first loss of what has already been an amazing season, they still walked off the court with their heads held high. KU expected the competition to be tougher and stronger, but still played every set with all their energy. The fight that the Golden Bears displayed was more than remarkable.