LINCOLN, PA (September 9, 2023)- The Lincoln University Lions volleyball team hosted their home opener tri-match on Saturday, featuring Notre Dame of Maryland University and Penn State University- York. The Lions swept the event, securing a 3-1 victory over both visiting teams.

GAME INFORMATION
Game 1 Score: Lincoln 3, Notre Dame of Maryland 1
Game 2 Score: Lincoln 3, Penn State-York 1
Records: Lincoln (3-1, 0-0), Notre Dame of Maryland (2-3, 0-0) Penn State-York (6-2, 0-0)
 
GAME 1 v. NOTRE DAME OF MARYLAND

• The Lions and Gators seemed to be equally matched at the start of set 1, going point for point with several lead changes.
• Numerous Lion errors gave the Gators room to pull away and take set 1, 25-19.
• Set 2 looked to mimic the first as Notre Dame of MD controlled the court.
• The Lions kicked their game into high gear, coming back after trailing 23-19.
• Capitalizing off of several Gator errors and kills by the Lions Haley Loper (Middletown, Del./St. Georges Technical), Lincoln took set 2, 26-24.
• Finding their groove for the remainder of the match, the Lions held the Gators under 15 points in the remaining 2 sets (25-12 in set 3 and 25-14 in set 4).
• Overall, the Lions secured a 3-1 victory.

GAME 2 v. PENN STATE-YORK

• Both teams battled for the lead to start the opening set, but Lincoln went on a 7-2 run to jump ahead 20-15 in set 1.
• Despite Penn State-York going on a run of their own, Lincoln held strong for a 25-23 set 1 win.
• Breezing through set 2, the Lions secure an easy 25-15 win.
• The Lions battle to control the court in set 3 was overpowered by errors on key plays.
• Although Lincoln secured 2 kills and an ace at the end of the set, they fell short, 25-22.
• Set 4 was one for the books as it was an extended fight for the finish.
• Each team found space in the set to go on a 7-0 run, with 8 lead changes.
• The Lions took the 31-29 set 4 win and overall victory after 2 final errors on Penn State-York.

LION LEADERS

• Erica Taylor (Romulus, MI/Romulus Summit Academy) controlled the tri-match with 29 kills over Notre Dame of Maryland and Penn State-York.
• Haley Loper (Middletown, Del./St. Georges Technical) and Madison Hill (Laurel, MD/Reservoir HS) were not too far behind with 25 and 18 kills respectively.
• Tallying 48 digs for Lincoln was Mariah Webster (Detroit, Mich./Cass Tech/).
• Stepping in for the Lions with 46 assists against Notre Dame of Maryland and Penn State-York was Jaida Lumpkin (Middletown, Del./Middletown).

UP NEXT
The Lions will return to action on Friday, September 15 for a road tri-match at St. Thomas Aquinas in Sparkill, NY. The first serve verses St. Thomas Aquinas University is set for 4pm, followed by an 6pm serve against Felician University.