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Panthers Sweep Both Matches Saturday

Photo by Erika Helo
Photo by Erika Helo

LA PLUME, Pa. -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford women's volleyball team earned wins in straight sets in its two matches Saturday, first defeating Immaculata before besting the host Keystone.

"To come out and get two sweeps on the road against two pretty strong teams shows how we're progressing," Head Coach Tom Roof said. "We are very well balanced, and that makes us so strong. It all started at the net, and Payton did a great job of distributing the ball to our hitters and we got a lot of swings today. The wins give us momentum to bring back to our last few conference matches."

With the two wins, the Panthers have now won four-straight matches and six of their last seven.

The Panthers got off to a hot start as they took set one against Immaculata convincingly, 25-15.

Set two saw closer contest but the Panthers ultimately came out on top, 25-19.

Pitt-Bradford took care of business in the third set and rolled to victory, 25-14.

Erin Fagan had a standout match for Pitt-Bradford, leading the team with 11 kills and three blocks assisted.

Payton Orzech assisted 30 of the Panthers' 40 kills.

Riley Anderson had 14 digs while Laura Hildebrand had 11.

The Panthers and Keystone put together a competitive second match. 

Pitt-Bradford took set one, 25-18, at one point holding a 21-12 lead.

Set two was even closer as the two teams were locked, 15-15, at one point. 

A pair of kills from Emily Cleveland and tough serves from Hildebrand helped the Panthers take the second set, 25-20.

Three attack errors by Keystone and a service ace from Anderson gave Pitt-Bradford an early 4-0 lead.

Kills from Cleveland and Katie Treat helped Pitt-Bradford later take a 7-1 lead.

The Panthers later held a commanding 20-12 lead, but Keystone clawed back and brought it to within three points, 22-19.

However, the Keystone scoring would be halted right there as the Panthers scored four straight to earn the victory. A Service ace from Hildebrand was the final point for the Panthers. 

Cleveland led the way for the Panthers with 11 kills and Ally Easton had 10.

Orzech had 30 assists, while Hildebrand had 11 digs. 

Four Panthers assisted two blocks each: Fagan, Orzech, Easton and Treat.

Up next, Pitt-Bradford will resume conference play as it travels to Hilbert on Tuesday.