2003 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference
Women's Volleyball playoffs

Friday, November 14-Saturday, November 15, 2003
Kutztown, PA - Keystone Hall

Semifinal #1
Edinboro 3, West Chester 0  (complete box score)

Game Scores: 30-24, 30-26, 30-16

WALTON LEADS EDINBORO TO PSAC FINALS

KUTZTOWN, PA - Ashley Walton recorded 17 kills to lead Edinboro University to a 3-0 win over West Chester University in the semifinals of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Playoffs at Keystone Hall.

    West Chester stayed with Edinboro for the first two games, falling 24-30 and 26-30 in games one and two.  Edinboro closed the door with a convincing 30-16 score in game three.  With the victory, Edinboro advances to the finals, where it will face the winner of Friday's second semifinal between Kutztown and Lock Haven.

    Amy Medicus added 14 kills, while Marissa DeLiberato had 14 digs to help the Fighting Scots to victory.  Alicia Knouf had seven blocks, while setter Renee Kam had 40 assists for Edinboro (25-10).

    Tanya Novik had 12 kills for West Chester (19-15).

Semifinal #2
Lock Haven 3, Kutztown 1 (complete box score)

Game Scores:  30-19, 31-33, 30-17, 30-16

KAUFFMAN LEADS LOCK HAVEN TO VICTORY OVER KU

KUTZTOWN, PA -  KU was upended in the semifinals of the PSAC playoffs, 3-1, by Lock Haven.   

     After the Lady Eagles took game one, Kutztown regrouped and fought off a late Lock Haven surge to win the second game, 33-31.  The Lady Eagles would go on to win the final two games, 30-17 and 30-16.  

     Kristi Kauffman led Lock Haven with 21 kills and 19 digs.  Cherry Li matched Kaufman's dig total and added 14 kills.  Lillian Bortoto had 13 kills, while Kelly Kostelich led LHU with 34 assists.

     Sarah Brandon posted 14 kills to lead the Golden Bear offense.  Dani Witherite added 11 kills to here team-highs of 18 digs and four aces.  Katie Herman had 34 assists, 16 digs and three aces. Candace Cagle and Shannon Sullivan had 17 digs apiece.   Playing in their final collegiate matches, Jessie Didier had six kills and three aces, while Mary Kate Strine notched four digs and one ace.  

     The Golden Bears closed the season with a 21-9 overall record, and a perfect 10-0 mark in the PSAC East.  Kutztown was hosting the final four for the first time in school history.

Finals
Friday, November 15, 2003

Lock Haven 3, Edinboro 2

Game Scores:  28-30, 30-22, 30-26, 18-30, 15-11

LI NAMED TOURNAMENT MVP AS LOCK HAVEN WINS PSAC CROWN

KUTZTOWN, PA - Cherry Li notched 22 kills and 16 digs in the PSAC Championship game to earn MVP honors as the Lock Haven defeated Edinboro in five games.  

     The Fighting Scots won game one, 30-28.  But Lock Haven battled back to take the next two, 30-22 and 30-26.  Edinboro then forced a game five, winning game four 30-18.  The Lady Eagle jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead in the decisive fifth game and never looked back, winning 15-11.

    Michele Deehan also turned in a strong performance for the Lady Eagles, recording 12 kills, 12 digs and four blocks.  Allison Wade led Lock Haven with 19 digs, while Amanda Snyder picked up 14 and four blocks.  Lillian Bortoto had ten kills and eight blocks.  Allison Furry handed out 43 assists.

     Edinboro's Ashley Walton led all players with 26 kills and nine blocks.  Jen Shaw and Alicia Knouff each had 12 kills.  Shaw's 17 digs led the Fighting Scots, as did her three aces, while Knouff also turned in four blocks.  Melissa DeLibertado notched 16 digs.  Renee Kam dolled out 55 assists and had 14 digs.

     The championship is Lock Haven's first since winning back-to-back crowns in 1999 and 2000 and fourth overall.  That total ties them with East Stroudsburg for second in championships won, behind Edinboro's nine.