Penn State Mont Alto Wins 2022 USCAA Division II Volleyball Championship

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. -- After dropping the first set of the championship, Penn State Mont Alto stormed back to win the 2022 USCAA National Championship defeating Penn State York 24-26, 25-22, 25-14, 25-21 on Saturday afternoon.

Makayla Dyson and Whitney Smyth closed out the first set as Penn State York won 26-24.  Mont Alto rode a pair of aces by Zoey McCormack to take an early 6-2 lead in set two.  That lead stayed till late as Smyth had a kill to bring York to 22-all.  Mont Alto scored the last three points to even the match with a 25-22 win.

Set three saw Mont Alto jump out to a 6-2 lead and cruise to a 25-14 win.  The final set saw Mont Alto start off on a 9-3 run capped by Kylee Gooding kill.  York responded methodically working back into the set and took a 17-16 following three aces by Cadance Newman.  Mont Alto capped the title with kills by Caroline Blickley and Gooding for the 25-21 deciding set win. 

Mont Alto was topped by Gracie Vaughn with 22 kills, while Gooding added 14 to go with 14 digs.  Kyle Denlinger had 44 assists and 15 digs, while Brooke Denlinger had 33 digs.  York was headed by Jess Dunbar with 13 kills and 15 digs, while Smyth had 10.

All-Tournament

Johnson & Wales – Ahmarie Young

Penn State York – Makayla Dyson, Jess Dunbar

Penn State Mont Alto – Kylie Denlinger, Brooke Denlinger

Tournament MVP

Penn State Mont Alto – Gracie Vaughn