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Nittany Lions Move on to National Semifinals
Dec. 12, 2008 REGIONAL FINALS DECEMBER 13 No. 1 PENN STATE (36-0) def. No. 8 California (26-7), 3-0 (25-21, 25-21, 25-17) The top-ranked Nittany Lions swept eighth-seeded Cal on Saturday evening to advance to the NCAA National Semifinals for the seventh time in program history. Junior Megan Hodge recorded a match-high 13 kills on .370 hitting and was named the Most Outstanding Player of the University Park Regional. She was joined on the All-Tournament team by teammates Alisha Glass, Nicole Fawcett, Christa Harmotto and Blair Brown. Penn State will face fourth-seeded Nebraska on Thursday at 9 p.m. ET at the Quest Center in Omaha, Neb. The match will be broadcast live on ESPN2. REGIONAL SEMIFINALS FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12 No. 1 PENN STATE (35-0) def. Western Michigan (28-7), 3-0 (25-17, 25-12, 25-19) Penn State set an NCAA record for consecutive sets won with a 3-0 sweep over Western Michigan in an NCAA Regional Semifinal. The Nittany Lions have now won 106 straight sets dating back to last season. Megan Hodge recorded a match-high 15 kills on .609 hitting, while Blair Brown tallied 10 kills on .667 hitting with four total blocks. Penn State will face eight-seeded California at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday at Rec Hall. Live Stats Video Box Score Recap
No. 8 California (26-6) def. No. 9 ILLINOIS (26-8), 3-0 (25-22, 25-22, 25-22) Illinois' season came to a close with a hard-fought loss to eight-seeded California on Friday afternoon in an NCAA Regional Semifinal. Laura DeBruler led the team with 18 kills and also posted eight digs in the match. The contest featured 29 tie scores and 13 lead changes in the three sets. Live Stats Video Box Score Recap at Seattle, Wash. No. 4 Nebraska (30-2) def. MICHIGAN (26-9), 3-0 (25-13, 25-16, 25-18) Michigan's season came to a close at the hands of fourth-seeded Nebraska in the NCAA Regional Semifinals on Friday evening in Seattle. Alex Hunt led the Wolverines with nine kills as Michigan was out-hit by Nebraska, .347-.100. Live Stats Video Box Score Recap at Fort Collins, Colo. No. 7 Hawai'i (31-3) def. No. 10 PURDUE (26-9), 3-1 (18-25, 25-22, 25-23, 25-20) Purdue took the first set but could not hold on in a 3-1 loss to Hawai'i in NCAA Regional semifinal action on Friday night. Kristen Arthurs led the Boilermakers with 14 kills on .500 hitting, while Stephanie Lynch tallied 13 kills and six blocks in her final match with Purdue. Jaclyn Hart posted a double-double for the Boilermakers with 10 digs and 34 assists. |
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