ALLENTOWN, Pa. — The Cedar Crest College volleyball team's rally fell short in a five-set thriller at Lees Gymnasium, as Penn College emerged victorious with a 25-23, 21-25, 25-21, 19-25, 15-7 win on Wednesday night.

The Falcons opened the first set with a strong start, as senior Ellise Everett (Orlando, Fla./Lake Nona) delivered multiple kills assisted by classmate Tianlly Davila (San Juan, Puerto Rico/Governor Thomas Johnson). The home side maintained a narrow lead early, capitalizing on the Wildcats' service errors. Midway through the set, the home team faced a challenge as Penn College gained momentum, moving ahead 9-6 with a service ace. Cedar Crest responded with a series of points, including a service ace from first-year Jasmine Beck (Allentown, Pa./Building 21), leveling the score at 12-12. As the set neared its conclusion, the Falcons battled to tie the score at 22-22 with contributions from first-years Sophia Curran (Sugar Hill, Ga./Lanier) and Samantha Fitzpatrick (Royse City, Texas/Community). However, the Wildcats edged ahead in the final moments, securing the set 25-23.

The second set began with Penn College gaining initial traction, establishing an early 3-1 lead. Cedar Crest responded with a pivotal kill by Fitzpatrick, assisted by Davila, which kept the score tight. As the set progressed, the Falcons faced a series of service aces from the visitors, widening the gap to 7-3. Cedar Crest regained momentum through a combined effort, highlighted by first-year Phoebe Pietila's (Hayesville, N.C./Hayesville) service ace and Beck's kill, narrowing the deficit to 9-7. An exchange of errors and strategic plays brought the Falcons back into contention, tying the score at 15-15 after a series of miscues from the Wildcats and a decisive kill by Fitzpatrick. Cedar Crest capitalized on the momentum with a critical service ace from Davila and a sequence of opponent errors to extend their lead. The Falcons maintained composure, closing the set with a kill by Fitzpatrick, securing a 25-21 win.

Cedar Crest opened the third set with a series of impactful plays, including a kill by Curran assisted by Everett. After trailing early, the Falcons capitalized on a string of service aces by Everett to take a 6-4 lead. However, Penn College responded to even the score. The set then saw the home team regain the advantage with aces from junior Maiya Piccarreta (Douglassville, Pa./Daniel Boone Area), pushing the lead to 9-6. The Wildcats countered with a run that brought the score to 13-11 in their favor, but a timely service ace by Davila helped the home team draw level again at 13-13. In the closing exchanges, Cedar Crest fought back from an 18-14 deficit with a series of errors drawn from Penn College, tying the score at 19-19. The Wildcats pulled away in the final moments to secure a 25-21 set triumph.

In the fourth set, the Falcons opened with a service ace by Davila, setting the tone for the home team. Although the visitors quickly evened the score, Cedar Crest maintained pressure with consistent offensive plays. Everett and Fitzpatrick delivered key kills, and the Falcons capitalized on opponent errors to build a slim margin. The home team continued to edge ahead, using a balanced attack with contributions from Beck and Piccarreta. Cedar Crest regained momentum with a service ace from Davila and a series of Penn College attack errors. As the set progressed, Cedar Crest expanded their lead, punctuated by kills from Everett. The home team closed the set with a strong finish and securing the set 25-19.

The Falcons began the fifth set with Everett securing a kill, assisted by Davila, to narrow a two-point deficit after the Wildcats' initial points. Cedar Crest then capitalized on errors to level the score at 3-3, with Everett contributing both offensively and defensively. The visitors responded with a series of points, including a service ace and kills, to regain the lead. Despite a service error from Penn College that allowed the Falcons to close the gap slightly, the Wildcats maintained their momentum with consistent scoring, punctuated with kills by first-year Kendall Shade (Reinholds, Pa.) and first-year Haylie Thomsen (High Bridge, N.J.). Penn College pulled away, concluding the set with a 15-7 victory.

Everett led Cedar Crest with 21 kills and added four service aces, contributing significantly to her team's points total with 27. Davila showcased her setting skills by recording 38 assists, while also contributing four service aces. Pietila excelled defensively, collecting 20 digs, and Piccarreta was not far behind, tallying 15 digs.

Thomsen paced the Wildcats with 18 digs and contributed 11 kills on a .318 hitting percentage. First-year Nashalie Vializ (New Holland, Pa.) was instrumental defensively, securing 16 digs. First-year Ellen Banfill (Mill Hall, Pa.) excelled in setting, recording 34 assists, and first-year Lilly Stockum (Dauphin, Pa.) was a key offensive force with 20 kills and topped the team with 25.5 points, including four service aces.

Cedar Crest (4-21 overall, 3-5 United East) will return to the court on Saturday, October 25 at home against the University of Valley Forge on Homecoming. Penn College (5-19 overall, 2-5 United East) next hosts Wilson College on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.