November 10, 2009

Four Behrend Volleyball Players Named to All-Conference Team

The Penn State Behrend volleyball team had four players recently named to the AMCC All-Conference team. Brooke Gallentine (Mt. Pleasant/Southmoreland), Sheila Ogden (Grove City/Grove City), and Lauren Dalton (Cochranton/Cochranton) were each picked to the all-conference first team, while Mary Sperry (Atlantic/Conneaut Lake) was a honorable mention selection.

Gallentine, a senior setter for the blue and white, was named to the all-conference team each of her four seasons. In 2009 Gallentine posted 1,024 assists to push her career total to 4,170, good for second place all-time at Behrend. She has also collected 1,226 digs in her career, good for eighth place all-time at Behrend.

Ogden, a senior middle hitter, has also been named to the all-conference team in each of her four seasons. In 2009 Ogden put away 283 kills to boost her career total to 1,150 kills, which ranks third place all-time at Behrend. Ogden has also tallied 305 blocks in her career, the fourth-best total in school history.

Perhaps more impressive than any of their tremendous numbers is the fact that Gallentine and Ogden have each played in every single match since the first match of their freshman season -- a remarkable run of 129 consecutive matches played. During that stretch the Behrend Lions have posted a 94-35 record.

Dalton, a sophomore outside hitter, followed up a tremendous freshman season with another outstanding effort. Dalton smacked 275 kills, gathered 300 digs, and served 42 aces in 2009. This is her second selection to the all-conference team.

Sperry, a freshman outside hitter, turned out a productive year in 2009 with totals of 349 digs, 190 kills, and 42 aces, while competing in all 32 matches for the blue and white.

Head coach Phil Pisano said, "All four of these players are very deserving of this recognition. Brooke and Sheila have been very reliable and consistently outstanding players who've become true leaders. Lauren is in the midst of a fantastic career and has the potential to do many more amazing things. Mary started her career off by making a big impact as a freshman and should be an exciting player in the years ahead."

The Behrend Lions (22-10) earned a bid to the ECAC South Region Tournament and will battle the St. Vincent Bearcats (22-10) on Wednesday, November 11, at 7:00 p.m. in the Junker Center.