Volleyball Ranked in Top 10 in USCAA Coach’s Poll
The PSUGA Volleyball team was ranked 6th in the USCAA in their weekly coach's poll on Thursday.
McKeesport, PA. – The Penn State Greater Allegheny Volleyball team (12-7, 5-2) has been rolling as of late winning their last nine games dating back to September 21st. On Thursday, they were rewarded for their efforts by the United States Collegiate Athletic Association coming in at #6 in the weekly Coach’s Poll rankings.
The #6 ranking is the highest PSUGA has been on the coach’s poll list in program history and the first time they appeared on the rankings since the 2014 season. After going through back-to-back growing years, PSUGA has hit its stride in 2019 and use their mix of experience and youth to fuel their current nine-game winning streak.
PSUGA is coming off of a big conference win on Wednesday when they defeated PSU-Shenango 3-0 to move to 5-2 in Penn State University Athletic Conference play. PSUGA handled their business holding Shenango to under 20 points in two out of the three sets and taking advantage of their opportunities throughout the night.
Alix Ellis (Derry, PA./Derry Area HS) and Sueriah Timsah (Mesquite, TX./West Mesquite HS) led the offense combining for nine kills on ten total attacks while Juliana Brill (Mount Jackson, VA./Stonewall Jackson HS) led the way with 11 digs on the day. PSUGA has now won it’s last three conference games and has positioned themselves for a chance to clinch their first PSUAC playoff spot since the 2014 season.
The win moves PSUGA to 5-2 in PSUAC play and has them sitting in third place in the PSUAC West Division Standings. They are just a half-game behind second-place PSU-Fayette and one game back of PSU-Mont Alto, who leads the West Division. PSUGA would need any combination of four wins or four PSU-New Kensington losses to clinch their first PSUAC playoff spot since the 2014 season.
PSUGA’s remaining schedule has them facing off with both PSU-Mont Alto and PSU-Fayette at home over the final three weeks of the regular season. After beating PSU-Fayette once already this season, a win over them would help PSUGA on their way to a possible first-round playoff game. The top two teams in each division will host the quarterfinal round of the PSUAC playoffs and the winners will head to University Park for the final four matches.
The next stop on PSUGA’s road to the PSUAC playoffs comes on Saturday when they host PSU-Mont Alto inside the Wunderley Gym. Doors will open at 1 p.m. with tip-off scheduled for 2 p.m.