KUTZTOWN, Pa. (October 14, 2011) – Offense seems to be a popular trend this fall at Kutztown University.  The KU women's volleyball team used its offensive juggernaut to lead it to a straight-set victory over West Chester University in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) match, Friday night at Keystone Arena.  (BOXSCORE)
 
Kutztown won 3-0 with scores of 25-21, 25-15, and 25-20.  This was its second consecutive straight-set win this season. 
 
The Golden Bears (19-6 overall, 8-5 PSAC) sit in second in the Eastern Division and continue to apply pressure on first-place Lock Haven (10-6, 8-4).  The Golden Rams (15-10, 5-7) came into Keystone Arena hoping to gain ground on the top teams in the division, but were unable to stop the fierce KU attack.
 
Four players finished with over eight kills for KU.  Erin Kissling (York, PA/Central York) led the charge with 11 kills.  The senior has had double-digit kills in two of the last four matches.  Fellow senior Cait Hess (Newark, DE/St. Mark's) finished with one of her best performances in the past month for KU.  She threw down ten kills and leads the team with 194 this season.
 
“With all of our great hitters we have, it really frees the other team's blockers up,” Kissling said.  “A lot of times, our middles will take blockers with them and I will only have one blocker against me.  It makes things so much easier and we all do it for each other.  It's just awesome.” 
 
Brittany Harman (Hanover, PA/South Western) finished with nine kills and has had nine or more in four of her last five matches.  The junior was named PSAC East Athlete of the Week for her efforts last week, including a 14-kill outing in KU's upset victory over Gannon on Oct. 7. 
 
Senior Cali Snell (York, PA/York Suburban) had one of her most efficient games of the season Friday night.  She held a game-high .462 hitting percentage throughout the match, finishing with eight kills on her 13 attacks.  Snell also had four total blocks and three solo blocks to lead the top blocking team in the conference.
 
“We played awesome tonight,” junior setter Dana Wright (Warminster, PA/Saint Basil Academy) said.  “We executed the way we wanted to and we didn't let down.  It felt so good to be able to win a match in three games.  We haven't been able to win in three that much this year, and it felt great to be able to get the win tonight.”
 
Lindsey Smith (Hanover, PA/Delone Catholic) had a game-high 23 digs in the victory and is fourth in KU history in career digs.  She sits 94 digs behind Dani Witherite's 1,479, set back in 2006.  Kissling added 14 digs, along with Harman who had 11.
 
Wright had a game-high 20 assists in the victory.  In splitting time with fellow junior setter Kimberlee Gomber (Washington, PA/Washington), Wright has had double-digit assists in four of her last five games and is convinced that KU's success this season is a result of more than just what happens on the court.
    
“The energy on our team is amazing,” Wright said.  “We've all become really close both on and off the court.  It really helps to know that if you make a mistake, your teammates will be there time after time to pick you up.  I think that's a main reason why we've been able to continue to get better throughout the year.”
 
Playing with an offense of this caliber is a first for Wright.  In her third year in maroon-and-gold, she continues to push herself to get better.  Wright has hustled all season long, and playing with such a high level of talent around only makes her want to work that much harder.
 
Head women's volleyball coach John Gump earned his 300th win at Kutztown earlier this week in KU's 3-0 win over Cheyney.  Gump is the all-time leader in wins at KU, and Kissling contributes much of her ability now to his coaching.     
 
“Coach has really worked with me on my defense,” Kissling said.  “We always watch film and he helps me understand what other teams are going to do.  He always reminds you of things throughout the match and he never gets mad at you.”
 
West Chester was led by junior outside hitter Lexi Kegerise who finished with a game-high 13 kills.  Senior Julie Boblits chipped in eight kills in WCU's setback.  Like KU, the Golden Rams had three players with double-digit digs.  Mary Faust led WCU with 20, Morgan Litek had 13 and Dana Markol tallied ten.
 
The Golden Bears have been on a roll as of late, winning eight of their last ten matches.  The confidence in the team can be seen immediately in the gym, from their pre-game dances to their outgoing celebrations after a big point.  KU has the week off to celebrate the victory and returns to action next Friday, Oct. 21, for a road matchup with Millersville (11-13, 4-7) beginning at 7 p.m.