Quakets finish third in four-team Dexel Invite

After charging through the first two weeks of its season with just a single loss, the Penn volleyball team posted a 1-3 record this weekend at the Drexel Invitational. The Quakers lost to the Dragons, American and Villanova before prevailing over Lehigh. The lone victory preserved the Quakers' winning record (5-4) and earned them a third-place finish in the tournament. Throughout the tournament, Penn's play featured strong individual performances, but the team as a whole sometimes seemed unfocused. The Quakers attack was led by the powerful outside hitting of sophomore Abby Daniels, who was named to the all-tournament team. Daniels has proven to be one of Penn's most reliable players this season, both as a hitter and as a passer. Sophomore middle-blocker Sue Sabatino also excelled in multiple categories throughout the tournament, leading the team in blocks and providing a dangerous serve. The first loss of the tournament didn't quell the criticism of inconsistency that plagued the team last year. The loss was in three straight games, 7-15, 14-16, 11-15, to a Drexel team Penn had already defeated in the preseason. Much of the Dragons' offense came from their 15 service aces, including three of Drexel's last four points of the match. The bright spot of the game for Penn was Daniels, who registered a whopping 15 kills against the Dragons (10-13) in addition to eight digs. Sabatino added five blocks and senior outside hitter and co-captain Jessica Luftman anchored the defense with nine digs. Freshman setter Kristen Stine, seeing extended playing time for the first time this season, seemed comfortable directing the offense. The Quakers next faced the American (4-12). Again, the Penn defense started out slowly, and, for the first two games, the Quakers were burned by the Eagles' crafty mix of tips and off-speed shots. Although the Red and Blue ended up losing the match in five games, 7-15, 10-15, 15-4, 15-11, 13-15, Penn was able to adjust its defense in the third game to become competitive. The Quakers relied heavily on sophomore defensive specialist Megan McKay, who racked up five service aces while collecting 12 digs. "Megan McKay is playing awesome defense," Penn coach Margaret Feeney said. "It starts with defense. If she's able to dig that ball up and we're able to run a transition offense off the defense, that is going to be a big piece of our puzzle." The following morning the Quakers faced rampaging Villanova. The Wildcats (9-4), who had lost their opening game to American in their first match, never looked back, placing first in the tournament by winning their remaining 15 games without another loss. The three games that came at Penn's expense were close, but the scales were tipped in Villanova's favor by the sensational play of all-tournament middle-blocker Stacy Evans. At times, Evans carried both the offense and the defense of her team, leading the Wildcats in both kills and digs. Penn junior setter Heather Tillett ran the offense effectively, setting Daniels with a series of balls that the outside hitter planted into the ground. But the balanced Penn attack was counteracted by a dense and tenacious Villanova defense. The Quakers lost, 6-15, 13-15, 11-15. Having lost their first three matches of the tournament, the Quakers were hungry for a win. Lehigh (4-11) was led by wily sophomore setter Patty Watson. Penn countered the unpredictable Mountain Hawks with a level of aggressiveness previously unseen, winning in four games, 15-8, 15-9, 11-15, 15-13. Penn's tall middle blockers led the attack. Sabatino had 19 kills and should have received extra points for style. The resurgent Jennifer Law at times made the Penn offense look as though it was designed for her. Potter contributed 12 kills, her best performance yet as a Quaker. Penn's blocking proved to be a true group effort. Between Sabatino and the tandem of Law and junior Sue Pojednic, the Quakers put a lid on the Lehigh hitters. Even the 5-foot-6 Tillett chipped in, providing an additional set of hands above the net. "We need to make sure we're competitive," Feeney said. "We keep saying, 'You've got to hate to lose more than you like to win.' We need to make sure we're not just going through the motions."