Box Score WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – Penn College hosted the Penn State Berks Nittany Lions in their NEAC opening game Thursday evening, as Berks would win the match 3-1. The Wildcats dropped to 1-9 on the season, 0-1 NEAC, while Berks jumped to 6-5 overall, 1-0 NEAC.     
 
How It Happened: Penn College started on fire against Berks jumping out to a 6-1 lead in the first set on a kill by Savanna Slough.  The Wildcats used their momentum to go up 19-12 on kills by Abbigale Mingus and Emalie Marnati.  Penn College went on to win the first set 25-19.
 
Berks regained composure and jumped out to a 13-2 lead in the second set and went on to win 25-4.  Hannah Burnett, the libero for the Wildcats, dove on the floor for a dig, came up limping with a hamstring injury and would not return to the game.  With multiple players already out for the Wildcats, Penn College struggled with depth and lost the next two sets 25-20 and 25-12. 
 
Inside the Box: The statistical leaders for Penn College, include:
Kills: Mingus (7), Marnati (6), Homan (5)
Aces: Marnati (2), Butz (2), Mingus (1)
Blocks: Homan (1)
Assists: Mahler (14), Burnett (2), Homan (2)
Digs: Burnett (13), Mingus (13), Butz (11)
 
Outside the Box: The Wildcats were poised from the start and ready for action.  Back from injury, Kylee Butz had a positive impact for the Wildcats with multiple service aces to go along with her outside attacking.  Mingus continues her steady improvement over the course of the season by stepping up to lead the team in kills (7) to go along with thirteen digs and one ace. 
 
After the game, Head Coach Bambi Hawkins noted, "We proved in the first set, when we are healthy and believe in each other, we can compete with anybody in our conference."  The Wildcats have struggled with injuries this year as Burnett left in the middle of the game and freshman Coryn Oswald sat out.  "Despite the injuries, we had some key players step up tonight.  Abby [Mingus] stepped up in a lot of different areas on the court and Peyton [Homan] did a great job being a vocal leader for the team.  Right now we just need some rest and recovery to get healthy."
 
Up Next: Penn College returns to action when they travel to face Lancaster Bible College on Saturday, September 21 at 11:00 AM.