By Justin Zackal
Only three schools have won the last 10 Presidents’ Athletics Conference volleyball championships. They will all play this weekend, along with a team seeking its first-ever PAC title, as Thomas More hosts the semifinals and finals of the 2015 PAC Volleyball Championship Tournament Friday and Saturday at the Connor Convocation Center Crestview Hills, Ky.
#5 WESTMINSTER (13-23, 9-9 PAC)
PAC TITLES: 2008, 2007, 2002
They may be the only losing team in the semifinals, but the Titans have come on strong in the last three weeks, winning six of their last eight matches, including a pair of 3-0 wins over Washington & Jefferson and Grove City and another victory at fourth-seeded Grove City in Tuesday’s quarterfinals, 3-1.
Sophomore middle hitter Lexie Yoho has averaged 4.1 kills per set in the last three matches, while her 3.04 average for the season ranks fourth in the league.
#3 BETHANY (28-8, 15-3 PAC)
PAC TITLES: NONE
2015 Bethany Bison.
Bethany has won 13 of its last 14 matches to secure its fifth straight 25-win season. The Bison defeated their semifinal opponent, Geneva, 3-1, at home last week. Bethany is a veteran team, having lost just two players from last year’s team that went 16-2 in the PAC before losing to Geneva in the semifinals. The teams split their two matches this season.
Junior twins Dylana McKenzie and Dakota McKenzie have nearly identical statistics, ranking fifth and sixth in the PAC with 2.97 and 2.92 kills per set, respectively.
#2 GENEVA (26-7, 15-3 PAC)
PAC TITLES: 2011
The Golden Tornadoes get it done on defense, as their team 18.95 digs per set, including 5.18 from junior Gabrielle Dickson, and .077 opponent hitting percentage are the best in the PAC.
Geneva was the only PAC team to come close to beating Thomas More in the regular season. The GTs led 2-1 in a home match on Oct. 10 before dropping the final two sets 25-20 and 15-7. Thomas More won the rematch at home, 3-0, on Oct. 21. Geneva also lost to Thomas More in last year’s finals, 3-0 (25-15, 25-23, 25-21).
#1 THOMAS MORE (24-4, 18-0 PAC)
PAC TITLES: 2014, 2013, 2012, 2010, 2009, 2006
Thomas More’s Jessica Knaley, Jenna Fessler and Stacy Howell.
There’s a reason why set wins are noteworthy against Thomas More. The Saints are that dominant. They have surrendered just three sets to PAC teams this season, all on the road, two at Geneva and one at Bethany. The last set they lost to a PAC team at home was in last year’s semifinals.
Thomas More is seeking its seventh PAC title, including its sixth in the last seven years.
Look for sophomore setter Jenna Fessler to keep feeding senior outside hitter Stacy Howell. Fessler is fourth in the nation with 11.46 assists per set and Howell ranks 10th in the country with 4.35 kills per set.
Thomas More plays Westminster Friday at 6 p.m., followed by Geneva vs. Bethany at 8 p.m. The winners will play for the title on Saturday at 4 p.m.
