Crestview Hills, Ky. -- The Thiel College women's volleyball team is going back to the Presidents' Athletic Conference title game for the third time in four years after defeating the Bethany College Bison in Crestview Hills, Ky., Friday in four sets (25-18, 18-25, 27-25, 25-22).

The Tomcats started out strong against the Bison as Alyssa Chine (North Jackson, Ohio/Jackson Milton) ripped one of her game-high three service aces for the first point to set the tone for the match. The Tomcats never trailed in the first set as Bethany couldn't get any closer than 24-18 before a Leanna Yaeger kill gave Thiel the opening set and a 1-0 lead.

The Bison answered in the second set, as they took advantage of Thiel's defensive miscues and got out to a commanding 21-16 lead. The Tomcats were unable to trim that lead, dropping the set by the score of 25-18. A highly contested and well-played match by both teams in the third set went in Thiel's favor after Kelly Barzak (Warren, Ohio/Howland) buried one of her team-high 10 kills to give the Tomcats a 27-25 win and a 2-1 lead in the match.

The fourth set was yet another nail-biter, as the Bison led 15-13. The Tomcats answered taking a 21-20 lead before the Bison took their first timeout of the set. After two consecutive points that increased the Thiel lead to 23-20, the teams traded points, with the Tomcats leading, 24-21. After a service error by Thiel gave the Bison the ball back, Bethany was unable to get any closer, as an error ended the match and gave the Tomcats the win.

Thiel relied on a complete team effort and a balanced attack to pick up the victory over the Bison. The Tomcats were led by Barzak, whose 10 kills and three blocks were both team-highs. Senior Ashley Donnelly (Ann Arbor, MI/Huron ) and freshman Molly Gamble (Van Wert, Ohio/Van Wert) each had nine kills, while Alyssa Chine (North Jackson, Ohio/Jackson Milton) had eight kills and a game-high 20 digs. Chelsea Meister (Liberty Center, Ohio/Liberty Center) and Stephanie Day (Millersburg, Ohio/Waynedale), splitting the setting duties, each had 17 assists. As a team, the Tomcats registered eight team blocks.

“This is a big win for us,” said Thiel head coach Steve Brewer, “but we still have one more to go. We want the girls to celebrate this win but for it to be a short-lived celebration. [Saturday] is a big day, and we have more to accomplish.”

Thiel will go into the finals facing a familiar foe as they will compete against top-seeded Thomas More, who defeated Westminster in straight sets in the early game of the day.

The Tomcats split the season series against the Saints this season, handing Thomas More its lone PAC-play loss at home on October 27 in a five-set thriller.

The championship game between the two top seeds in the conference begins at 4 p.m. in Crestview Hills and can be viewed here.