Box Score

ANNVILLE, Pa. - The Lebanon Valley College volleyball team clinched the second seed in the Commonwealth Conference tournament Wednesday night, defeating Widener University 3-0 (30-24, 30-21, 30-27) at the LVC Gymnasium.

The Dutchmen (20-7, 4-1 CC) will make their seventh consecutive appearance in the Commonwealth Conference playoffs, and will host Messiah College next Wednesday, Oct. 31 at a time to be determined. They have also won 20 or more games in each of the last seven seasons under Head Coach Wayne Perry '78.

Prior to the game, LVC honored its two seniors, Jill Miller and Jess Kender, who were playing their final regular season conference match at home.

Freshman Joelle Snyder had a huge night for the Dutchmen, throwing down 18 kills with just four errors, and junior Margaret Prebula added 13 kills. Freshman Emily Perkins put up 41 assists, and Miller dug out 30 balls.

The Dutchmen ran out to a wide lead in game one, leading 26-14 at one point before allowing Widener to creep back into the game with a 10-3 run. But with the score at 29-24 after an attack error on Snyder, Perry called timeout, and the Dutchmen came out and set up a thundering kill for Prebula to end the game.

LVC again went up big in game two, but did not allow Widener to make a run as they cruised to a 30-21 win. The Dutchmen gave up three points on match ball, but Snyder again provided the punctuating kill to end the game.

Game three stayed close the entire way, with neither team leading by more than four points until LVC opened up a 21-15 lead after Brandi Roth served out four straight points. The Pride closed the gap, however, pulling within a point at 27-26, but LVC went on a 3-1 run to end the match thanks to Snyder's two kills and an attack error on Widener's Danielle Wetling.

LVC will finish the regular season by hosting a tri-match with Scranton and Gallaudet starting at 11 a.m. Saturday.