ANNVILLE, Pa. – The Neumann University Women's Volleyball team headed west to Lebanon Valley College for a non-conference tri-match on Saturday afternoon. The day started with a thrilling five-set win by the Knights over York College of Pennsylvania before they suffered a 3-0 loss at the hands of the hosts.
 
The first set of their match against York started with the Knights going for a 7-1 run. They were able to extend the lead to 13-4, thanks to four Julia Solomon service aces. The Spartans kept pace to pull within six, but Neumann scored the last eight points for the first set 25-11 win.
 
In the second, it was York who got off to a fast start with a 5-1 lead. Both teams traded three point runs to make it an 8-4 game. It stayed close when the Knights trailed by two, 15-13, but York scored nine straight point for a 24-13 lead. Although Neumann got to 17, they dropped the set, 25-17.
 
York continued their momentum as they grabbed a 10-3 in the third. Neumann got within four on a 4-0 run then the Spartans scored six of the next seven points to lead 18-9. The Knights got within five at 23-18 but couldn't complete the comeback, falling 25-19.
 
The fourth set start for the Knights was key as they pushed to a 7-1 lead. They extended it to 13-4 on a five-point run. Each team had small runs but Neumann maintained a significant edge, leading 20-13 and racing to the brink of the set with a four point run. The Spartans survived for six straight points before a Taylor Long kill forced an ultimate set with a 25-19 win.
 
The final frame was back and forth all the way to 8-8. At that stage, the Knights went on a five-point run for a 13-8 lead. With a 14-10 lead, Melissa Eddy got a kill to clinch the set, 15-10, and the match, 3-2.
 
Solomon led the offense with 20 kills and seven service aces, tying the program record for the most aces in a five-set match. Hannah Strohm had 23 digs while Kyla Carney had 42 assists. Soliel-La'Jour Staggs had four total blocks, Long had three, and Austin Raymer and Bri Gautier had two each.
 
Neumann started the second match on a 4-1 run before Lebanon Valley took a 6-4 lead. With the first set even at eight, the Flying Dutchwomen notched nine of the next 12 points. They led 18-15 after a Knights three point run but put it away on a 7-2 run, taking the set 25-17.
 
In the second set, Neumann battled to keep things close, trailing by a 6-5 score before Lebanon Valley went on a 7-1 run. Each team had three point runs but with the score at 16-10 the Flying Dutchwomen went on a 7-2 run on their way to a 25-15 win.
 
The third started with a 7-1 Lebanon Valley push before Neumann got back within two at 8-6. Every time the Flying Dutchwomen went on a run, the Knights followed suit, all the way to a 21-16 score. Unfortunately for the Knights, a four-point run ended the set with a 25-16 score.
 
Solomon led with 11 kills. Carney had 11 assists, Strohm had two aces, and Eddy had 12 digs.
 
Neumann (10-10, 1-1 Atlantic East) will return to the court on Tuesday night as they visit Ursinus College for a 7:00 PM start.