Volleyball sweeps Christendom, 3-0

Penn State Mont Alto (10-6 overall, 7-0 PSUAC) 3, Christendom (6-8 overall) 0 (25-15, 25-12, 25-18)

Penn State Mont Alto volleyball got back on track Wednesday evening following a five set loss on Saturday, defeating Christendom for a second time this season in straight sets. Penn State Mont Alto built a 11-5 lead early in the first set, gaining momentum on some timely attacks by Kylee Gooding and Leslie Huckle late in the set to take the first set 25-15.

A Gabby Baughman service ace followed by a key block from Gracie Vaughn and Candice Baum put Mont Alto out in front of the second set 4-1. Late in the set, Kylie Denlinger converted on back-to-back service aces to push the lead to 17-6. Caroline Blickley blocked a Christendom attack to end the point with the score 21-9, causing a Crusaders timeout and gaining momentum of the second set. Penn State Mont Alto won set two 25-12.

Kylee Gooding recorded four consecutive service aces in set three to give Mont Alto a 14-8 lead. Kills by Gooding, Huckle and MacKenzie Ginder provided three straight points won and a 19-11 lead in the third set. Christendom fought back, taking a 22-12 deficit and making a late run back to 23-18 before Kylie Denlinger recorded a solo block for a 24-18 advantage. Mont Alto would go on to win the set by a score 25-18, clinching the season sweep of Christendom 2-0.

Kylee Gooding led Mont Alto with 13 kills on the evening, Leslie Huckle added nine. Kylie Denlinger recorded a team-leading 33 assists. Kylee Gooding (18), Gabby Baughman (17) and Brooke Denlinger (16) were the key defensive players with double-digit dig numbers. Denlinger, Vaughn and Blickley each had a solo block as well.

Up Next: Penn State Mont Alto travels to Penn State York on Saturday for the PSUAC Crossover Event. They will take on Penn State York at noon and Penn State Schuylkill at 4 p.m.