Brandywine Box
Rowan Box

The Albright College volleyball team earned its first victory of the 2012 season on Saturday, defeating Penn State-Brandywine in a tri-match at Rowan.

The Lions beat Brandywine 3-1 (25-14, 25-18, 22-25, 25-19) before falling to the hosts 3-0 (28-26, 25-12, 25-12).

Christa Mantz had 15 kills against Brandywine, and sophomore Brandy Blimline added 10 kills. Junior Morgan Heath had 28 assists and nine digs.

The Lions pulled away in the first game as senior Alyssa Hoogendoorn served up consecutive aces to make it 14-5. Hoogendoorn then had a kill (off Erin Wentzel's assist) to end the set.

PSU-Brandywine pulled back a game in set three and were tied 4-4 in the fourth, before Albright ran off six consecutive points with Casey McFadden serving (including an ace).

Brandywine pulled to within a point on two separate occasions, making it 12-11 and 17-16, but couldn't come all the way back as Albright emerged with the match victory.

Albright played a spirited opening set in their second match of the day, leading 12-5 at one point following a Hoogendoorn kill. Rowan battled back however to win 28-26, after the Lions fought off a pair of game points.

In the Rowan match, Mantz and Hoogendoorn led the way with seven kills each. Casey McFadden had a game-high 19 digs.

The Lions are 1-3 overall and travel to Stevenson on Tuesday. The Mustangs are competing in the Commonwealth Conference for the first time this year.