Virginia Beach, VA- The 2019 Division II Volleyball National Championship featured two teams who are no stranger to the event, as Penn State Fayette finished in third place and Johnson & Wales Charlotte looked to defend their 2018 National Championship title. In a four-set thriller, the Lions of Penn State Fayette prevailed to secure their first ever USCAA Division II Volleyball National Championship (26-24, 25-21, 18-25, 25-23).
Penn State Fayette dominated in pool play (4-0), which included winning all but two sets against Johnson & Wales Charlotte. Johnson and Whales Charlotte finished the tournament with a record of 2-2. They made a strong showing against Cincinnati Clermont, who was seeded number one, when the Lions beat the Cougars 3-1.
In the championship game, Penn State Fayette jumped out to an early lead but was quickly answered by Johnson & Wales by a pair of attacking errors. The Lady Lions then surged by scoring four consecutive points and continued to build a lead, expanding their league to as many five (17-12) on a kill by Siteri Tale. Just several rallies later, Johnson and Wales answered by bringing the game within one and eventually forcing a tie. But the late effort was not enough, Penn State Fayette won the first match 26-24.
To start the second set, the teams traded the first ten points (5-5). But Penn State Fayette would extend their lead to five on back to back kills coming off the hands of Jayden Barnish. For the second half of the set Johnson & Wales kept the game close but could not gain control, falling by a final score of 25-21. With their backs against the wall, Johnson and Wales knew they needed to respond in the third set and did just that. They started out with an early lead (10-5). Fayette was not going away quietly and pulled the game within one (12-13). But Johnson & Wales rallied on three consecutive points, seemingly taking a permanent lead but then again Fayette threw the game within one on a Jaylen Johnson kill. But a steak of errors, allowed Johnson and Wales to take a comfortable lead and go on to win the third set 25-18.
The fourth set started much like the previously three. The teams were neck and neck through the first 13 points (7-6). Much like in the third set, a string of attacking errors from Penn State Fayette combined with a well distributed offense from Moana Reid, Johnson and Wales took an aggressive 13-8 lead. With the Wildcats looking to tie the match, Penn State Fayette battled back and tied the game at 13. The second half of the set was a hard-fought battle as the lead never extended beyond two points for either side. Until, Penn State Fayette made a late offensive push. With match point on the line for three consecutive points, Johnson and Wales looked to push the championship game to a fifth set. But would fall on a very untimely service error losing the match 25-23.
With 22 kills and 8 digs in the championship game, along with another stellar all-around performance throughout the championship, Siteri Tale took home Tournament MVP honors. Joining her on the All-Tournament team from University of Cincinnati Clermont was Zoe England (9 kills and 17 assists in the third-place game) and Sarah Andrews (10 kills out of 14 attempts in the third-place game). Moana Reid and Toniya Scott also placed a spot on the All-Tournament team. In the championship game, Reid recorded 35 assists and 19 digs and Scott recorded 7 kills and 14 digs. Rounding out the All-tournament team, from Penn State Fayette, Jadyn Barnish and Machaela Hall. Barnish finished the championship game with 20 assists, while Hall finished the game with 24 digs.
University of Cincinnati Clermont defeated Penn State Greater Allegheny in the third-place game, receiving a strong performance from Zoe England and Sarah Andrews. For full results from the 2019 USCAA Volleyball National Championship, please visit www.uscaafallchampionships.com
2019 USCAA Division II Volleyball National Championship All-Tournament Team
Zoe England– University of Cincinnati Clermont
Sarah Andrews – University of Cincinnati Clermont
Moana Reid – Johnson & Wales Charlotte
Toniya Scott – Johnson & Wales Charlotte
Jadyn Barnish – Penn State Fayette
Machaela Hall – Penn State Fayette
Tournament MVP
Siteri Tale – Penn State Fayette