West Chester went 2-1 their last week of the 2011 volleyball season, sweeping Cheyney University in a double header, but then falling to Kutztown in their season finale.
The Golden Rams finished the season with a 21-13 overall record, and a 9-10 conference record, which granted them a berth in the postseason with the No. 3 seed in the East.
The Rams traveled to their cross town rivals’ court on Tuesday for a rare double header. West Chester easily handled Cheyney in both matches, winning in straight sets both times. They took the first one 25-4, 25-6, 25-9, and the second one 25-11, 25-4, 25-12.
The first match proved to be the better performance by West Chester. They hit .473 and only made three errors.
Tyler Sheafer had nine kills for the Golden Rams and Lisa Campbell had 10 digs and served up four aces. West Chester was able to record 13 aces for the first match.
In the sequel, Sheafer had another strong outing for the Golden Rams, recording 10 digs and eight aces. Julie O’Brien led the team in kills with six. Sheafer and Jamie Hughes each had five kills.
Cheyney wrapped up their season this week as well in a match against Kutztown. It was the last chance for the Wolves to pick up a win this season. They finished the year 0-19 in the conference and 0-27 overall.
West Chester had a four day break before they finally wrapped up their seven game road trip and returned home for the season finale against Kutztown.
In their previous match against the Bears, West Chester dropped the match in straight sets. This match would be no different.
Kutztown traveled to West Chester for a match that was also the Bears’ season closer. Lexi Kegerise had 12 kills for the Golden Rams while Mary Faust added another 11. Campbell contributed 21 kills for West Chester and Helen Fitzpatrick assisted on 28 points.
West Chester played close with Kutztown throughout the match. Although they lost in straight sets, each set was tight. Kutztown took the first set 25-20 and the second set 25-19.
The decisive third set was even closer. However, Kutztown was eventually able to get one extra point on the Golden Rams to take the third set, 25-23.
With the win, Kutztown landed themselves a spot above West Chester in the PSAC East standings. They finished the season with a 13-6 conference record and 24-8 overall record. As the No. 2 seed, they will have home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
As the middle two seeds in the PSAC East, Kutztown and West Chester will have a quick rematch in the PSAC Quarterfinals on Tuesday, Nov. 8. West Chester will have Kutztown’s game plan fresh in their memory, and will need to figure out how to break the Bears if they want to continue further in the post season. Kutztown swept both matches in straight sets against the Golden Rams this season.
Lock Haven ended their season atop the PSAC East with a 15-4 conference record and 18-8 overall record. Shippensburg rounds out the PSAC East playoff contenders with the No. 4 seed.
In the West, California (Pa.) finished their season with the best record in the whole league, 17-2 in the conference and 28-4 overall. Clarion, Edinboro and Gannon also landed playoff berths.
The PSAC Tournament will commence on Nov. 8. For information about the tournament, visit www.psacsports.org.
Amy Festa is a fifth-year student majoring in English with a minor in journalism. She can be reached at AF649219@wcupa.edu.