Lady Barons Sweep Penn State Beaver on Senior Night

By Dylan Ehle

STEUBENVILLE, OH. - The Franciscan University Lady Barons took on Penn State Beaver on Wednesday in this season's senior night.  The Lady Barons honored their only senior, Bernadette Moore, by conjuring up an impressive victory over a talented Penn State Beaver team, 25-18, 25-21, and 25-23.

The Lady Barons got off to a fast start in the first game, gaining an early 7-3 advantage.  They kept Penn State Beaver at a distance the entire game, going on a 6-2 run to close the game for a 25-18 victory.

The Lady Barons carried their momentum into the second game, establishing an early three point cushion which they maintained for the majority of the match.  Penn State Beaver pulled to 20-19, but the Lady Barons turned up the intensity of their game and put them away, 25-21.

The third game was the most highly contested of the match.  The Lady Barons got off to a quick start, but Penn State Beaver rallied back and led by as many as two.  However, with the game tied at 23-23, the Lady Barons strung together two straight points, taking the game and the match, 25-23.

Several Lady Barons posted impressive numbers in the win.  Ali Aeschliman of Steubenville, OH, had eight kills, while Kelsey Bowker added six.  Teresa Marcotte had sixteen assists, while teammate Paddy Scott contributed ten.  Defensive specialist Nicole Henson had sixteen digs, while Kelsey Bowker had nine and Ali Aeschliman had seven.

Lastly senior Bernadette Moore had a spectacular game in her last home game in a Lady Barons uniform.  Moore had seven kills, eleven digs, and three blocks in the victory.

Lady Barons had glowing words to say about Moore in the brief ceremony after the match.  "Since she transferred to our school, Bernadette has played both basketball and volleyball for our varsity teams.  This is my fifth season coaching her.  I love her fiercely competitive spirit....but, more importantly, what a woman she is.  She is a shining ambassador of what we want to see from our athletes."

The Lady Barons next match is at Frostburg State University on Saturday afternoon.