Penn State Behrend Box | Geneva Box

GETTYSBURG, Pa. – Seniors Kristina Mercier (Baltimore, Md./Mount de Sales Academy) and Stephanie Rickabaugh (West Chester, Pa./Henderson) took turns leading the Gettysburg attack on the first day of the Battlefield Classic, the former pounding 10 kills in a 3-0 (25-19, 25-20, 25-19) sweep of Penn State Behrend and the latter tallying 11 kills in a gutsy 3-1 (25-20, 23-25, 25-13, 27-25) victory over Geneva College.

After picking up a pair of easy victories to start the season, Gettysburg (4-0) received a stiff challenge from both of its opponents on Friday. In the first match of the day, the Bullets held Penn State Behrend (0-3) at bay with a consistent attack, led by Mercier with 10 kills on 23 attempts with just two errors. Mercier was a force on the other side of the net as well with a dozen digs and three block solos.

Rickabaugh posted seven kills and a pair of blocks against the Lions, while junior Kate Yoder (Emmaus, Pa./Emmaus) and sophomore Virginia Hogan (Alpharetta, Ga./Chattahoochee) each posted six kills. Junior Kristin Kotewicz (Columbia, Md./River Hill) led the team with a match-high 18 digs and sophomore setter Amanda Krampf (Gaithersburg, Md./Gaithersburg) dished out 30 assists.

Geneva (1-1) proved to be Gettysburg's toughest opponent to date, winning the second set and holding a three-point advantage late in the fourth set. With a potential fifth frame looming, the Bullets bounced back to score the final three points to take the match.

Rickabaugh committed just one error in 25 attempts against Geneva and put up 11 digs. Yoder posted nine kills and a team-high five total blocks, three of the solo variety, while Mercier went for seven kills and 17 digs. Krampf also put up 17 digs in addition to 33 assists, six kills, and three block assists. Kotewicz led the back row defense with 21 digs.

Gettysburg is unbeaten through its first four matches for the first time since 1998. The Bullets will need be bring their “A” game on Saturday as the second day of the Battlefield Classic will pit them against Salisbury University and Carnegie Mellon University, both of whom swept by their two opening-day opponents. Saturday's opening matches begin at 10 a.m. in Bream Gym and Hauser Field House, including a heavyweight battle between Gettysburg and Salisbury.