LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, PA. (September 24, 2008) – The Lincoln University of Pennsylvania volleyball team overcame adversity to earn one of the biggest victories in school history, a 3-1 victory over Saint Paul's College Wednesday night. (BOXSCORE)
In defeating a CIAA opponent for the first time, the Lady Lions prevailed 25-23, 28-30, 25-15, 25-22. Lincoln (3-11 overall) received contributions from everybody to end a six-match losing streak. This was Lincoln's first home match in 21 days and the Lady Lions treated the fans to solid display of quality volleyball.
Lincoln's senior triumvirate of journalism major Jordean Matthews (Pleasantville, NJ/Pleasantville) (Pleasantville, NJ/Pleasantville), health science major Donneisha Smith (Milwaukee, WI/Harold S. Vincent) (Milwaukee, WI/Harold S. Vincent) and education major Lindsey Wilson (Aliquippa, PA/Aliquippa) (Aliquippa, PA/Aliquippa) led the way as the Lady Lions bounced back from a tough second game defeat.
Smith had a team-high 10 kills. In addition to battling some nagging injuries during the match, Matthews and Wilson had nine kills each. Matthews played a strong all-around game by adding three service aces, three digs and five blocks. The seeds for this victory according to many of the players were planted during a 3-0 defeat to Goucher College the day before.
“Even though we played good (against Goucher), we knew we wanted to carry (that effort) over to this match,” Matthews said. “I think we wanted it more tonight and plus we expected to win.”
Lincoln displayed a lot of poise, patience and teamwork in getting even for a pair of losses to Saint Paul's last year. Senior mass communications major Noel Webster (Hagerstown, MD/Elkton) (Hagerstown, MD/Elkton) finished with nine digs, five kills and five service aces. Sophomore music education major Lia Hubbard (Farrell, PA/Farrell) (Farrell, PA/Farrell) finished with a season-high 26 assists. Hubbard also had six digs and four service aces.
Webster and Hubbard teamed up for the final point of the match. Webster slammed a Hubbard pass onto the brown hardwood floor to emphatically end the match. Junior psychology major Kenyatta Austin (Newark, NJ/Immaculate Conception) (Newark, NJ/Immaculate Conception) had an effective game by collecting four digs and three service aces.
“I think the more we play with each other the more we're realizing our potential and what we can be as a team,” second year head coach Schannon Gamble said. “And for Jordean to take herself out of the game when she was hurting, that takes more leadership and courage than anything. Collectively, we're becoming more of a unit.”
After a strong opening game, the Lady Lions roared to a 6-0 lead in the second game before Saint Paul's fought back. The visiting Tigers survived six game points to finally prevail, 30-28 and even the match at 1-1. Lincoln was not bothered as it rebounded by controlling the third match after falling behind, 5-1, to begin the game. Trailing, 10-9, Lincoln reeled off eight straight points to take control of the game.
The Lady Lions were at their best in the fourth game, finishing with 13 kills and five service aces. Hubbard picked up three of her four service aces during the final game.
“I think the difference tonight was our communication was much better and we were out there having fun,” Smith said. “I think how we played today should carry over to Sunday's game (against Medgar Evers). We didn't give up and we hustled today. This was a big win for us. Winning this match takes a little frustration off of our shoulders.”
For the seniors who have experienced numerous difficult moments and tough defeats this win meant a little more. Although people like to measure growth in wins and losses, all one needs to do to gauge the progress of the Lady Lions volleyball program is rewind back to August 25, 2007 when Lincoln lost to Saint Paul's 30-13, 30-12, 30-13 in a match that took less than 60 minutes to complete. With a busy October slate waiting for it, Lincoln is focused on finishing strong and surpassing last year's win total of seven.
“I know this means a lot for the seniors,” Matthews said. “Every year we've played, we've gotten better. We want to finish strong and leave out on a good note.”
Lincoln returns to action Sunday afternoon when it visits Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn for a 12:30 p.m. match at the Pratt Center.
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