THE DAILY COLLEGIAN Dwring its run to three consecutive national championships, the Penn State women's volleyball team set many records. The Nittany Lions became the only pro gram to have two undefeated seasons, set the record for consecutive sets won, and defeated 109 straight opponents - a record Dec. 9, 2005 vs. No. 17 Tennessee Penn State's last home The Lions began their loss. The Lions' season current home win streak, as came to an end when it Alisha Glass and Megan dropped a four-set match to Hodge made their Rec Hall the Volunteers. debuts. Sept. 1, 2006 vs. Eastern Kentucky Christa Harmotto record- Hodge had 13 kills and 12 ed 11 kills on .917 hitting, blocks, as Penn State while getting 11 blocks. The became the sixth Division-I victory was coach Russ program to reach 1,000 Rose's 900th career win. wins. Pennn State field hockey players compete in an NCAA Tournament game against Syracuse The Nittany Lions lost the game 2-1 to end an up and down 2010 season. Players happy with year By Joe Mclntyre COLLEGIAN STAFF WRITER Over the past two seasons the Penn State field hockey team has been on quite the roller coaster ride. The team went from a 7- 13 record in 2009, including 1-5 in the conference, to a 14-6 record in 2010, includ ing the Lions' first NCAA tournament appearance since 2008 But it's what has come in between the last two years that would force anyone who wanted to ride the Nittany Lions' roller coaster to have a seriously strong stom ach. The Lions' leading goal scorer and points leader, Kelsey Amy. said the 2009 season wasn't enjoyable for the Lions. She said there wasn't a good atmosphere at practice, during games or off the field. It's easy to say that winning can fix any thing, but Amy said it was team together ness, leadership and overall chemistry that led to the Lions' success. There wasn't a better atmosphere sur rounding the team this season because they were winning, the Lions were winning because of the better atmosphere. "This year was just fun, we had fun at practice, we had fun off the field and we would all hang out," the sophomore said. "I just think there was a different atmos phere this year and it definitely paid off on the field. Everyone got along really well, so that also showed with our chemistry on the field and such. So it was definitely a huge turnaround from last year" Coming off the disappointing showing in 2009, the Lions didn't exactly start 2010 off on the right foot. The Lions went 1-2 in their first three games losing to then-No. 3 Virginia and then-No. 5 Connecticut. But the slow start was simply that a start. 7faae iDh'AI!!IIiI']II[ Aug. 24, 2007 vs. No. 4 Texas Sept 21, 207 vs. Michigan State The Lions then reeled off five straight victories, including wins in 12 out of their next 14. Wms in that stretch came against then-No. 5 Princeton, then-No. 7 Michigan State. then-No. 17 Duke. The Lions' roller coaster season corkscrewed and turned what looked like another possible letdown season into an improbable run that saw them host a NCAA tournament game. FIELD HOCKEY "For us being so young and having so many players that are inexperienced at this level, for them to go out and compete against [Syracuse! was great." coach Char Morett said. "I'm just really, really really so proud of this team and the season they had.- There's much for the Lions to be excited about for in the next few seasons, as the team will only lose three seniors for next year Jenny Purvis, Ali Nieves and Daneen Zug. The majority of the Lions are either freshmen or sophomores. meaning the core of this team will be playing together for years to come. And although the 2010 season has ended, redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Ayla Halus is pleased with her team's effort but feels the Lions are still on the chain lift, well on their way to the top of NCAA field hockey - I'm really proud, we really turned our season around. I definitely had anticipa tions of us going even farther than [the NCAA first roundl hut we gave eVery thing," Halus said. "It was evident on the field that every girl gave everything they had and they left it all on the field. Throughout the season I thought we just became so much better as a whole and we're all pretty young so it just makes me really excited for the seasons to come when we can grow as a team." for women's collegiate sports. Tonight, the Lions have an opportunity to attain one more notable accomplishment, as it looks to tie the NCAA record held by Nebraska for 90 consecutive matches won at home. Seniors Blair Brown and Arielle Wilson said the Lions focus on dominating at Rec bv. 1, MI vs. lowa In this match-up of top-5 teams, the Lions won in four sets. Nicole Fawcett had 21 kills, which gave her 1,000 for her career. Dec.tl 44 ,-, -* • , i . Pk 4 ~,,, imiN, 0, The Lions rallied from an early 7-1 deficit in the first set to take the game and the match - sending them to the NCAA semifinals. Saran Finnegan 'Collegian To e-mail reporter: jrms4ol@psu.edu By Ryan Loy COLLEGIAN STAFF WRITER Hernandez wins award NEW YORK--For once, Felix Hernandez got all the support he needed for a big win. The Seattle ace earned the AL Cy Young Award on Thursday _ despite a modest 13-12 record. His major league- leading 2.27 ERA and superior stats put him far ahead of Tampa Bay's David Price and the Yankees' CC Sabathia and their impressive win-loss numbers. Victimized by the Mariners' poor hitting all season, Hernandez found ample back ing with the voters in this pitchers' duel. They clearly recognized how•little the last—, place Mariners helped him - in 10 starts, theyre either shut out or held to one run. "This confirms the Cy Young is an award not only for the pitcher with the most wins, but the most dominant." a teary-eyed Hernandez said while celebrating with rel atives at the family home in Valencia. Venezuela. King Felix got 21 of the 28 first-place votes and 167 points in balloting by the Baseball Writers' Association of America. The 24-year-old right-hander led the league in innings (249 2-3), was second in strikeouts (232) and held AL opponents to the lowest batting average (.212). Price. who went 19-6 with a 2.72 ERA. was second with four first-place votes and 111 points. Hall, and they've done just that. Penn State has won every home match since Sept. 1, 2006, meaning the seni. ,:s have yet to lose a match at Rec Hall duriilg their careers. This year's team is only a small part of the journey to 89 straight wins. Here's a look back at some of the most notable Rec Hall matches during the streak. Rec Hall during a home Penn Stag - It was standing room only as .5,312 fans packed them selves into Rec Hall to see the Lions tie the 1990-94 North Carolina women's soccer tor consecutive victories with 92 - second among all Nt:AA sports and first for women's sports. By Ben Walker ASSOCIATED PRESS Accounting They don't want to think about where to eat or where to buy their holiday gifts. Make the decision easy for them! Advertise your great deals in the Finals Magazine! FRIDAY, Nov. 19, 2010 I 9 1 1 , match Sabat}:,:. ho was 21-7 with a 3.18 ERA, drew the her three first-place votes and finished third at 102. "I feel like they got it right, - Price said on a conference call from Nashville, Tenn. Fciix, I thought he deserved it, even Wough In didn't have a lot of wins. You can't really control all that. You cant con trol the oft•ii-t.' and the hitters and stuff like that.- "The n..n;,<