READING, Pa. — The Cedar Crest College volleyball team swept Penn State Berks in a decisive 3-0 victory at the Beaver Athletics & Wellness Center on Wednesday night, with scores of 25-20, 25-17, and 26-24 in United East Conference action.

The Falcons opened the first set with strong momentum, quickly establishing a 4-0 lead with contributions from senior Tianlly Davila's (San Juan, Puerto Rico/Governor Thomas Johnson) assists and service aces. Cedar Crest maintained their advantage with first-year Sophia Curran (Sugar Hill, Ga./Lanier) and senior Ellise Everett (Orlando, Fla./Lake Nona) delivering key kills, supported by Davila's consistent setting. The visitors extended their lead with effective offensive plays, including kills from first-years Kayla Duenkel (Central Square, N.Y./Bishop Grimes) and Jasmine Beck (Allentown, Pa./Building 21). The set concluded with the Falcons securing a 25-20 victory, highlighted by Everett's final kills and a service ace by Davila.

Cedar Crest opened the second set with a key sequence, building an early 3-0 lead with a kill from junior Maiya Piccarreta (Douglassville, Pa./Daniel Boone Area) and a service ace by Davila. Despite a brief rally by the Nittany Lions tying the score at 7-7, the Falcons responded with a service ace from Piccarreta to regain control. Cedar Crest then capitalized on a series of errors by Penn State Berks, including multiple attack errors and another service ace by Davila, pushing the score to 19-13. The set rounded out with the Falcons maintaining momentum through a service ace by Piccarreta and a final kill from Davila, securing a 25-17 win.

Cedar Crest opened the third set with a strong offensive surge, initiated by a kill from Piccarreta and a service ace by Curran. Everett contributed significantly with multiple kills, helping the Falcons to establish a 6-3 lead. Despite service errors that momentarily allowed the Nittany Lions to close the gap, Cedar Crest maintained momentum with consecutive errors by the opponent, extending their advantage to 9-5. As the set progressed, Penn State Berks rallied to level the score at 14-14. However, Everett's consistent performance, including a crucial kill and a key block by Duenkel, helped the Falcons regain a 16-14 lead. The teams continued to exchange points, with Beck securing a critical kill to keep Cedar Crest ahead 20-18. In the final stretch, the Falcons held firm despite the home team's push to tie the score at 22-22. Davila's service ace and a kill by Beck were pivotal as Cedar Crest edged ahead. Everett sealed the set and the match with back-to-back service aces, securing a 26-24 victory for Cedar Crest.

Everett orchestrated the offensive charge for the Falcons with 12 kills and added two service aces to her game total. Davila showcased her serving skills by delivering 10 aces and contributed 22 assists to orchestrate the team's attack. First-year Phoebe Pietila (Hayesville, N.C./Hayesville) was pivotal on defense, recording 24 digs to anchor the back line. Beck demonstrated efficiency at the net, achieving a hitting percentage of .308 with four kills and two total blocks.

Junior Mackenzie Davis (Warsaw, Va.) anchored the defense for the Nittany Lions with 21 digs, providing a reliable presence in the backcourt. Sophomore Madelyn Caris (Mount Airy, Md.) contributed significantly on both sides of the ball, recording nine kills and 14 digs, along with a service ace. Junior Emily Snader (Myerstown, Pa.) led the team in points with nine, highlighted by her five kills and three service aces. Junior Libby Swoyer (Reading, Pa.) facilitated the offense with 18 assists, complementing her eight digs and one service ace. Junior Julia Zaprazny (Hershey, Pa. ) added six kills and five digs, maintaining a steady attack with a hitting percentage of .042.

Cedar Crest (3-17 overall, 2-2 United East) will next host Notre Dame of Maryland University on October 11 with the action beginning at 1:00 p.m. Penn State Berks (2-15 overall, 2-2 United East) squares off against Penn State Brandywine on Saturday starting at noon.