Just a few short days after beating Edinboro University in an incredible final regular season match, the California University of Pennsylvania women’s volleyball club failed to defeat them again. However, the match, which was held at Edinboro University, was certainly filled with excitement. Although Edinboro defeated the Vulcans 3-0 two out of the three sets were close in scores.

     The Vulcans finished off the year with a record of 16-17, with eight of their last regular season matches being consecutive wins. It was that confidence that had the Vulcans pushing and making the final spot of the PSAC playoffs. Considering the start the team had to the season, it was an incredible run to make the playoffs after being as low as last place in the PSAC west at one time. As senior middle hitter Miranda Fouzie recalled the team didn’t know until the morning of the November 14 final regular season match against Edinboro that they had to win to make it into the playoffs.

    Even with their season over, the Vulcan volleyball team is happy with their success. Making the post season after a thrilling November 14 match against Edinboro was something that even head coach Peter Letourneau wasn’t sure would happen. “I wasn’t so sure that was going to be possible about a month ago, but the girls have really played great,” Letourneau said after California’s 3-2 win over Edinboro, which was held at the Convocation Center on campus.

    For senior right-side hitter Mary Lavery making the playoffs was something she knew would happen on the final set of Cal U’s regular season finale against Edinboro. She recorded a career high 22 kills to get Cal into the playoffs. “You know when you have that feeling that you’re going to win? I had that feeling. There’s was no losing that game,” Lavery said. The final senior of the trio, libero Ema Bobbitt, also had that feeling. “I was already crying. We had to win and we brought that intensity,” Bobbitt said with tears still welling up.

    That match was more than just a playoff match for the team; it was also a night to recognize Fouzie, Bobbitt, and Lavery. “That was the best part of my senior year, when all the seniors got recognized for their hard work and our families were out there,” Lavery said.

     Lavery mentioned that her senior year has had a lot of unexpected ups and downs, but was happy to share her final year playing Vulcan volleyball with her “two best friends and teammates” Bobbitt and Fouzie. “Ema and Mandy work very hard and add so much to the team, so I’m proud to be a senior with them. They are amazing women and role models for our team.” Lavery also won the PSAC women’s volleyball athlete of the week two straight weeks in a row to close out the season. No Vulcan volleyball player had done that since 2008. She is also one of seven players since 2002 to record at least 950 kills and 500 digs in a career.

    For Fouzie she has beeen a factor in the Vulcans program since the first day she stepped on campus. After getting a lot ofplaying time her freshman year, Fouzie played over 130 sets for two straight seasons and was known for her sharp shot that was used to get some powerful spikes. and her blocks on the net.  She was named to the All-PSAC Second-Team last season after leading the PSAC in blocks .

     Now the Vulcans will look to the next crop of seniors Abby Matusik, Danielle Hayes, Megan Litoborski, and Kristen Scurpa to step up and be the senior leaders next year as they look to return to the playoffs once again and try and add another PSAC championship to the school’s prestigious history.