KUTZTOWN, Pa. (October 7, 2011) – Cali Snell (York, PA/York Suburban) had a career-high 18 kills as the Kutztown University women's volleyball team handed Gannon University its first conference loss of the season in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) crossover matchup Friday afternoon at Keystone Arena.  KU also dropped its final match of the night to Edinboro University.
 
The Golden Bears (16-6 overall, 5-5 PSAC) opened their day with a dramatic 3-1 victory over Gannon (13-6, 9-1).  Following a pair of crossover games between other PSAC schools, KU returned to the court and closed out the night on the wrong side of a 3-1 decision to Edinboro (16-4, 8-2).  (KU-GU BOXSCORE)  (KU-EU BOXSCORE)
 
Snell's previous high was a 15-kill performance against Millersville last season.  This is the seventh game this season the senior has had double-digit kills.  Snell has grown into a complete player in her time at KU.  In her senior year, she has not only been able to remain consistent on the offensive end, but she has amplified her game on defense tremendously.  Snell had 4.5 total blocks in the win against Gannon including three solo blocks.  She leads the team with 81 blocks this season.
 
“Cali used the offense very well today,” head women's volleyball coach John Gump said.  “She used a variety of different sets and made Gannon chase her around a little bit.  She made the most out of what was in front of her and just did a great job for us.”
 
Kutztown earned one of its best come-from-behind victories of the season after going down 2-1.  KU used three runs of four points or more in the fourth set, including a 10-2 run at one point, to earn a momentum-shifting 25-16 win to force a fifth set.  The Golden Bears kept their foot on the throttle in the final set, scoring nine of the final ten points to knock off the Golden Knights.
 
Kutztown held a .222 hitting percentage throughout the match compared to .105 for Gannon.  KU also had 17 total blocks, led by Snell and Brianna Risch (Coatesville, PA/Coatesville) with 4.5 apiece.  Risch also added six kills. 
 
“That is certainly as well as we've played all year,” Gump said.  “We were able to maintain a high level of play throughout the match.  We were able to battle back when we were down early, and we were able to hold leads.  This is probably the biggest win in the regular season we've had since I've been here.”
 
Junior Brittany Harman (Hanover, PA/South Western) had 14 kills and 21 digs for her third consecutive double-digit kill performance.  She has had a career-high 21 digs in three of her last four matches.  Erin Kissling (York, PA/Central York) dropped ten kills in the victory and has had ten or more in four of KU's last six matches.
 
Dana Wright (Warminster, PA/Saint Basil Academy) had a team-high 30 assists for Kutztown, followed by Kimberlee Gomber (Washington, PA/Washington) with 28.  The two juniors have split time all season and have turned into quite the asset for this year's team.
 
“This was a huge win for us,” Gump said.  “Not only is it a strong conference win, but it's a match that no one in the East has won.  As of now, it's a big advantage for us, but we are going to have to continue to play well heading into tomorrow.”
 
KU was taken down by Edinboro in four sets in the nightcap, ending a three game winning streak.  Harman had a team-high ten kills to go along with six digs in the setback.  Senior Lindsey Smith (Hanover, PA/Delone Catholic) had a game-high 18 digs and looked sharp and eager to hit the floor in her first day back from injury.  Kissling finished with eight kills, with fellow senior Katie Lutz (Greencastle, PA/Greencastle Antrim) racking up six total blocks including five solo blocks.
 
Four matches were played at Keystone Arena on Saturday.  In the second match of the day, Gina Boothe led Edinboro to a 3-1 victory over West Chester.  Seth Sullivan and Kelcie Hellmer each added 10 kills for the Bald Eagles.  West Chester was led on the offensive end by senior outside hitter Julie Boblits with 14 kills.  Lexi Kegerise had 10 kills and Lisa Campbell picked up a game-high 25 digs.
 
Gannon rebounded from its earlier loss with a 3-1 win over West Chester.  Lauren Sazama and Kara Cullen had 16 and 15 kills, respectively.  Megan Wendel dished out 32 assists.  The Golden Rams were led by Lexi Kegerise with a game-high 22 kills.  Campbell had 19 digs and Helen Fitzpatrick finished with 36 assists.
 
Kutztown returns to action on Saturday for its final PSAC crossover match of the season.  KU hosts Mercyhurst at 3:30 p.m. at Keystone Arena.