Temple University Athletics
Temple University
Penn State
TEMPLE VOLLEYBALL TEAM SHOCKS PENN STATE IN NCAA SECOND ROUND; ADVANCES TO SWEET 16 FOR FIRST TIME EVER
12.7.02 | Women's Volleyball
Temple (28-6) featured a balanced attack in the victory, as the Owls had four players finish with double-digit scoring figures. Outside hitter Liu Shu led the winners with 20 kills and added five digs. Xu Yun finished with 16 kills and recorded 15 digs, while Yamit Haba had 12 kills and 23 digs. Junior Margaret Majewska contributed 10 kills and nine digs and Charity Hill added nine kills and two digs. Setter Alison Runk finished the match with 60 assists and set the all-time Temple single-season assist record at 1,482 in the process.
The Owls came out sharp in game one, taking a 13-10 lead in the first 10 minutes. The Nittany Lions came back to tie the game, 21-21, on four straight points. Temple followed up with a 9-3 run and put the game away on a service ace by Shu. Temple out-hit Penn State, .273-.156 in the first game.
The Owls agains started quickly in game two and held the lead most of the way. Penn State managed to tie the score twice, at the 20 and 24 point marks, and took its first and only lead of the game at 25-24. Temple answered with a 6-1 scoring run to take back the lead and win the game 30-26.
Excitement got the better of the Owls in game three. After holding the lead the majority of the game, the Owls saw Penn State score seven straight to tie the game and then take its largest lead of the match at 25-20. The Owls made a comeback, but could not hold on as Penn State took the game, 30-26.
Temple held the lead for all but the beginning five minutes of game four. The Owls went on a 9-4 scoring run and secured game four and the match victory.
Temple will travel to Florida next week to compete in the Eastern Regional semifinals, but their opponent was unknown as of this writing.
