BEAVER FALLS, Pa. – It was a frustrating afternoon for the Geneva women's volleyball team on Saturday, as the Golden Tornadoes never truly got their feet under them in a three-set loss to Saint Vincent (11-25, 20-25, 19-25). The match was the first of Geneva's Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) schedule this fall and just the second contest the GTs have played at home. With the loss, the women's record slips to 7-7 overall, 0-1 in PAC play. Saint Vincent improves to 4-7, 2-0 in the PAC.
The visitors gained control of the first set early on, scoring eight straight points midway through the frame to seize an 18-6 advantage. The Golden Tornadoes scored four of their own right afterward behind the serve of freshman
Kyla Kephart, but the Bearcats had widened the gap enough that it didn't matter much, winning the set 25-11.
Saint Vincent's momentum carried into the second set as they went ahead 6-2. A 7-3 run by the Golden Tornadoes knotted the score at 9-9, and then an 8-3 run following that sent Geneva in front 17-15 thanks to a couple of service aces by junior
Laura Goonewardene. The Bearcats then closed the set on a 9-2 run to take a two-set lead in the match.
Once again, it was the visitors going in front early as they started the third set up 6-1. Geneva rallied, with a kill by senior
Daphne Alexander tying things up at 12-12, and then a kill from senior
Katie Seboe a few moments later gave the GTs a slim advantage, 17-16. In the same way as the prior set, however, Saint Vincent ended the frame with a terrific run, outscoring Geneva 8-1 over the final nine points to seal the victory.
Alexander was the top offensive player for the women, garnering seven kills on a .273 hitting percentage. Kephart and Goonewardene split the setting duties, notching 12 assists apiece, while sophomore
Ruthie Land and freshman
Vanessa Crider finished with 12 digs each to tie for the team lead.
The Golden Tornadoes travel to Grove City for their next match, taking on the Wolverines on Wednesday, September 30, at 7:00 p.m. After that, Geneva hosts Saint Francis and Wooster for a tri-match the following Friday, October 2.
Through purposeful learning in a community reflecting the full spectrum of God's kingdom, a Geneva College experience inspires students to discover a faith-life calling in service to God and neighbor. Offering 195+ traditional undergraduate majors and programs, fully online Adult Degree Programs and high-demand graduate degrees, Geneva's programs are recognized for their high quality and affordability. Geneva was founded and is governed by the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America (RPCNA) and is a founding member of both the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) and the International Association for Christian Education (IACE).
