CALIFORNIA, Pa. (Sept. 13) – The California (PA) volleyball team dropped a 3-0 contest (21-25, 17-25, 26-28) in its Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West opener at the Convocation Center on Tuesday night against Gannon, which advanced to the national semifinals of the NCAA Tournament last season.

With the loss, the Vulcans moves to 6-4 overall and 0-1 in PSAC West competition. Meanwhile, the Lady Knights improve to 7-4 overall and 1-0 in divisional play.

Sophomore Allie Droneberger (North Beach, Md./Northern) tied a career high with 14 kills, the total was also a match-high. Junior Alexa Malloy (Pittsburgh, Pa./Bishop Canevin) contributed with 11 kills while hitting at a .348 clip. Senior Kaylin Burkey (Boardman, Ohio/Boardman) recorded an all-around performance with eight kills, three service aces and a season-high 11 digs. Freshman Adrianna Favata (Peoria, Ariz./Liberty) tallied a team-high 19 assists, while classmate Ashley Barnes (Crofton, Md./Arundel) collected 13 assists.

On the defensive side, junior Emily Buwawa (Uniontown, Pa./Laurel Highlands) posted 10 digs and Droneberger complied eight digs. Junior Alayja Floyd (Pickerington, Ohio/Pickerington Central) and Malloy each registered a pair of blocks and four digs on Tuesday.

In the first set, the Lady Knights jumped out to an early 10-2 lead until Cal scored from two attack errors followed by three-straight Gannon points. The teams went on to trade the next six points with Gannon holding a 16-8 lead. The Vulcans proceeded to orchestrate a 6-2 run and cut the deficit to four points. The last 14 points were exchanged as neither team could ignited a run and the Lady Knights claimed the initial set, 25-21.

As the second set commenced, Cal found itself with a 9-6 advantage following a kill by Burkey. However, Gannon quickly answered with four-consecutive points as it took the lead. Following a time by Cal, the Lady Knights engineered a 6-2 run to obtain a 16-11 lead. The Vulcans ended the run with a kill and service ace from Burkey. The Lady Knights went on to score the next six points to seize a 22-13 lead. Cal answered with a 4-1 run, however, Gannon scored the next pair of points to take the set, 25-17.

The third set featured six lead changes, as Cal held an early 7-2 lead until the Lady Knights complied a 16-4 run and took an 18-11 lead. The Vulcans answered with a 9-1 run of their own and regained the lead. After consecutive points, Gannon found itself ahead once again before Cal tied the set at 21-21 on a kill from Droneberger. The teams traded the next 10 points until the Lady Knights were able to finish the match with a pair of points, as they took the set by a 28-26 margin.

Cal returns to action Friday, Sept. 16, as it travels to face Pitt-Johnstown in PSAC West play. Start time is scheduled for 7 p.m.