Wheeling, W.Va. – Friday night in the first semi-final of the Atlantic Region Women's Volleyball tournament California (PA) defeated Gannon in four sets to advance to the Saturday evening championship match.

The Vulcans opened the match by taking a three point lead early and maintaining that advantage most of the first set. California increased the lead to 18-14, resulting in a timeout by Gannon. After the timeout the Knights pulled within one at 21-20 before the Vulcans went on a 4-to-0 run to close out the opening set 25-20.

The second set began much like the first, with the Vulcans taking an early three point lead. Gannon tied the set at seven and took their first lead of the match 8-7 prompting a timeout by California. The Knights built a four point lead out of the timeout at 11-7 but Cal countered and knotted the set at 13. The Vulcans retook the lead a point later and maintained the lead until the Knights tied the set at 17. The Knights took the lead on a long point at 18-17 and led by as many as five at 24-19. The Vulcans went on a three point run, but Gannon withstood the comeback and took the set 25-22 on a Lauren Sazama kill.

In the third set the Vulcans raced out to a 10-5 lead causing a Gannon timeout. Consecutive kills by Morgan Reineke and Sazama cut the Vulcan lead to three, before the Cal lead grew to as many as nine at 19-10. A block by Mary Lavery and Kelly Fromknecht took the Vulcan lead to 21-12. A run by Gannon capped by a Sazama kill cut the Vulcan lead to six at 22-16. An Ana Almeida kill stopped the run by the Knights and California finished off the set 25-19 with a Megan Franz kill.

The fourth set saw the Knights jump out to an early four point lead at 7-3. Cal fought back to tie the set at 12 before taking their first lead of set with a well-placed Brandy Harris kill. California seized control pushing its lead to 21-16 thanks to an Almeida kill. Gannon scored two before Almeida placed the final shot off a block attempt out of bounds to end the fourth set 25-18.

Gannon concludes the season 29-6. Lauren Sazama had 16 kills and 13 digs to lead the Knights. Sarah Glancy added nine kills and Megan Wendel provided 43 assists.

California improves to 30-7 on the year. The Vulcans had a big night from Ana Almeida who had 16 kills and 23 digs while Brandy Harris chipped in 13 kills and 16 digs. California awaits the winner between Wheeling Jesuit and Clarion.

The Atlantic Regional final is scheduled for 7:30 pm Saturday, December 1 at the Alma Grace McDonough Center at Wheeling Jesuit.