READING, PA – The Wilkes University women's volleyball team cruised in the first set to take an early lead only to see host Penn State Berks win three straight to claim a 3-1 non-conference victory Wednesday night in the Beaver Center. Penn State took the match by scores of 16-25, 27-25, 25-20 and 25-16.
 
Wilkes fell to 4-6 overall following the defeat while Penn State Berks improved to 2-3 on the season.
 
The Colonels came out strong in the first set taking a 5-1 lead thanks to kills from Alexis Reedy (Palmyra, PA/Palmyra Area) and Jenna Baron (Nanticoke, PA/Greater Nanticoke Area). Penn State Berks battled back to tie the set at 10, but back-to-back service aces by Nicole Fitzpatrick (New Hampton, NY/Minisink Valley) gave the Colonels some breathing room leading 16-11. Wilkes closed out the set with four straight points including a set-taking kill by Sierra Hines (Wilkes-Barre, PA/Holy Redeemer) on the final point.
 
Wilkes looked as though it would take a 2-0 lead having a 19-16 advantage late in the second set. From there Penn State Berks answered back tying the set at 23 before back-to-back kills and a service ace gave the hosts a 27-25 win tying the match at one.
 
Penn State then went on to take a 2-1 lead with a five-point win in the third set and clinched the match with a 25-16 victory in the fourth and deciding set.
 
Fitzpatrick and Reedy led the attack with nine kills each. Alexa Cassel (Mount Joy, PA/Lower Dauphin) finished with 27 assists to lead the passing game while Ali Yordy (Fairfield, PA/Fairfield Area) finished with a team-high 18 digs on defense.
 
Wilkes returns home Saturday to host a tri-match with matches against Marywood University at 10:00 a.m. and Hunter College at 2:00 p.m. in the Marts Center.