Sept. 12, 2000
Villanova, Pa.--On September 12, the Villanova Wildcats hosted the defending national champion Penn State Lady Lions. Penn State, the #3 team in the nation, defeated Villanova in straight games, 15-11, 15-4, 15-10, to improve to 8-1 on the year. The Wildcats fall to 2-6 overall with the loss.
For Villanova the match was a success. The Wildcats played solid and consistent volleyball in each of the three games to give the Lady Lions a serious challenge. In the first game, Villanova fell behind early 5-0, but were not overwhelmed by the daunting task of playing Penn State. Instead the Wildcats threw down the gauntlet and rode the serve of senior Erin Pfotzer (Newark, Del./Christiana) to a 9-5 advantage. In the sequence, Pfotzer served two aces that sparked the Villanova faithful on hand. After Penn State coach Russ Rose called his second timeout, the Lady Lions rose to the occasion, allowing Villanova to score just two more points. Penn State came away with the game one victory, 15-11.
In game two, Villanova continued their consistent play. The Wildcats hung tight early as they achieved a 2-2 tie. Then Penn State proved why they are defending national champions. The Lady Lions ignited their offensive firepower and tallied the next ten points. The Wildcats did not quit. In response, Villanova earned two quick points off of good team hitting and the service of Jennifer Edwards (Valencia, Calif./Valencia). Penn State would have none of the Wildcats upset bid as they finished off Villanova, 15-4.
Game three looked like it was going to be over quickly. Penn State rocketed to 10-0 lead early behind the hitting of Mishka Levy (Stafford, Texas) and Katie Schumacher (Chicago, Ill.). The Wildcats again did not lose focus and fold, but instead got right back into the match. Again, using Edwards serve as a catalyst, Villanova narrowed the score to 10-6. Penn State responded as champions do, slamming home the next four points. On the brink of extinction and with the Penn State boosters standing in hopes of a victory, Villanova proved it was not ready to quit. The feisty Wildcats refused to give in by earning seven side outs and tallying four points. In the end, Penn State used the sheer power of Schumacher and Levy to end Villanova's chances of victory. The Lady Lions won the match 3-0.
Statistically for Villanova, seniors Tina Zitterich (Ames, Iowa/Gilbert) and Breen Eddinger (Tacoma Wash./Bellarmine Prep) led the Wildcat offense with 11 and seven kills respectively. For Penn State Schumacher recorded 17 kills. She was followed by Levy who tallied 10 kills, bringing her year total to 113. In the assist department, the Lady Lions were led by Jessica Hayden's 44 helpers.
Defensively, Leah Mathews (Poway, Calif./Our Lady of Peace) paced Villanova with eight digs, while Breen Eddinger added six. Penn State was led by Solena Quick and Hilary Sexton who recorded 11 and 10 digs respectively.
Villanova will be in action next on September 15th and 16th at the Ohio University Invitational. The Wildcats will square off with Ohio, UMB-C, and Southern Methodist.
