HAMBURG, N.Y. – As expected, the Hilbert College vs. Franciscan University volleyball match-up did not disappoint.

With the winner of the match earning an Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference First Round bye in the play-offs, there was a lot on the line in the final game of the regular season. Franciscan (8-1) took a 3-2 victory and claimed the second seed which then dropped Hilbert (6-3) down to the fourth seed.

Both teams combined for a 341 attempts, 90 kills and 174 digs. Their attack percentage was identical (.135) as well as points off service aces (8). The glaring difference was in service errors, with Hilbert being called for 17 while the Barons successfully served the ball over the net more often and were only whistled for 10 errors.

Seniors Chelsea Reischuck and Shannon Memminger carried the Hawks in their final conference game before play-offs. Reischuck whacked 11 kills and chipped in 12 digs along with one solo block. Memminger played her quarterback role distributing 32 assists while getting more involved defensively with 15 digs.

Jordan Botsford finished with 9 kills and 13 digs to lead the Hawks with 14.5 points on the day. Kayla Lewis finished as the most consistent Hilbert attacker, going 7-1-16 for (.375).

Ashley Viengmay was credited with team-high 18 digs and Allegra Johnson chipped in another double-digit dig performance scoring 13 digs.

Franciscan's Dani Link had a monster game, giving her team a big lift with 19 kills, 20 digs and one block. No other Baron reached for double-digit kills, but Christina Lawrence and Jennifer Pagano added nine. Samantha Kelly was credited with game-high honors – 24 digs.

Hilbert opened the match with a 25-20 set victory. Jordan Botsford tied the Hilbert Season Record when she finished with four service aces. Franciscan rallied in the second set, building a lead early and held on for a 25-23 slim victory.

The Hawks stormed back in the third set and pulled off a 25-18 win. But then the momentum changed in the fourth set. The Barons finished the set with a (.156) attack percentage vs. Hilbert's (.067) percentage to take that set, 25-20. Botsford became the Season Record holder after she earned her 5^th service ace of the day in the fourth set.

As each team stayed on the same side of the net as they ended the fourth set, Franciscan carried that momentum into the fifth, shortened set. When the Barons reached eight points, both teams then switched sides assuming their original side of the court. The Hawks attempted to rally late in the match and the visitors from Ohio fought back hard each time to earn a 15-12 final set/match victory.

Now, the real fight begins. Penn State Behrend, at 9-0, earned the top seed, and they will host the semi-final as well as the championship matches next weekend. Fighting to get that far will be 3rd seeded Medaille hosting 6th seed, Pitt-Bradford while Hilbert, the 4^th seed will host Penn State Altoona, 5^th seed. Those First Round Games will be held Wednesday, November 6^th beginning at 7pm.

The winners of the First Round move onto Erie, PA with the 3/6 victory facing Franciscan and the 4/5 winner challenging the Behrend. Follow the women's volleyball play off results here on the AMCC league website.

The Hilbert – Altoona game will be streamed on-line live by following this link.