1996 PSAC Volleyball Championship (hosted by Edinboro) W1 Edinboro November 15 Edinboro, 3-0 E2 East Stroudsburg November 16 Edinboro, 3-1 E1 Millersville 1996 Champion November 15 Lock Haven, 3-1 W2 Lock Haven LOCK HAVEN DEFEATS EDINBORO FOR PSAC VOLLEYBALL TITLE IN THRILLER (written by Edinboro SID) (EDINBORO, Pa.) – Lock Haven defeated Edinboro three games to two Saturday night to win the school’s first-ever Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Volleyball championship. The Lady Eagles won the first two games, 15-10, 15-12, but Edinboro battled back to win the next two, 16-14 and 15-8, setting up a fifth and deciding game, which was played under the rally scoring system. After the score was tied 12-12, Edinboro and Lock Haven both had two chances to win the final game, before LHU finally won it, 19-17, on their third try when Edinboro floor-hit the ball. Lock Haven junior setter Becky Peters was named the tournament MVP, recording 57 assists in the final match, after posting 51 in the LHU’s semifinal win over East Stroudsburg. Lock Haven improved to a 27-10 record with the win, while Edinboro dropped to 26-12. The fifth and deciding game was truly a thriller. Neither team led by more than a point until LHU jumped out to a 10-7 lead, sparked by two kills by Megan Best. Edinboro scored twice on a Rosie Weisenseel ace and kill to earn the first match point at 14-12. Jaime Entenmann’s kill made it 14-13 and a ball-handling error on Weisenseel evened the score at 14. Edinboro’s Stephanie Radecki then gave the Scots another chance to put the match away with a kill. But LHU’s Sarah Curtis spiked one down to even the match at 15. A hitting error on Edinboro’s Mandy Bambauer gave Lock Haven a 16-15 lead, but Lori Schafer’s kill evened the score again at 16. A service error on Bambauer gave the Lady Eagles a 17-16 lead. But Edinboro freshman Erica Shaffer drilled a ball over the net to deadlock the match again at 17. EU’s Lori Schafer then had a hitting error to give LHU another chance at the victory. This time, they did it as Edinboro mishandled the ball and the four-hit violation cost the Scots an opportunity to win the PSAC title for the second time in three years. In addition to Peters, LHU was led by Best with 18 kills and 14 digs and Curtis’ 16 kills and 16 digs. Tara Newcomer had 14 kills and 14 digs. Edinboro was led by Radecki’s 29 kills and 12 digs. Weisenseel recorded 54 assists, 12 kills and 12 digs. Freshman Lori Pienta had a team-high 17 digs. Lori Schafer was credited with 15 kills while Erica Shaffer had 14 kills. “We played phenomenal, error-free volleyball,” said Lock Haven coach Tom Justice. “Our .312 hitting percentage is exceptional. Edinboro is a fine team and we had to play flawless ball to beat them. We are very happy and gratified with the win. If we don’t deserve to go to regionals, who does?” “We’re very disappointed we didn’t win the championship,” said Edinboro head coach Lynn Theehs. “But I was proud of the way we battled back after dropping the first two games. Give Lock Haven credit, they played extremely well.” Both teams are hoping to receive berths to the 24-team NCAA Division II national championship tournament when bids are extended Sunday night (Nov. 17).