Youngstown State University
16-15
Valparaiso
25-7
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Youngstown State | 19 | 19 | 16 | 0 |
| Valparaiso | 25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
Volleyball to Play Valparaiso Tonight in Tournament Semifinals
11/23/2013 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
In its first conference tournament semifinal in 14 years, the fifth-seeded Youngstown State volleyball team will play second-seeded Valparaiso in the Horizon League Tournament at 8 Eastern this evening. Live video and stats for the tournament will be available on HorizonLeague.com.
The Penguins reached the semifinals by beating No. 4 Green Bay on Friday in a five-set thriller. No. 6 Cleveland State upset No. 3 Oakland on Friday, which put YSU in Valpo's bracket as the highest advancing seed. If Youngstown State beats Valparaiso tonight, it will play for the league title on Sunday at 2 p.m. Eastern against either No. 1 Milwaukee or Cleveland State.
Recapping Friday Night
- Youngstown State snapped a six-match losing streak in the postseason by rallying for a 3-2 victory over Green Bay on Friday evening at the Klotsche Center. It was YSU's first tournament win since 2004 and just its second since joining the conference in 2001.
- The Penguins won the opening set 25-21 but dropped the next two 25-23 and 25-17 to trail 2-1 in the match. YSU responded to beat Green Bay 25-17 in the fourth set, and the Penguins led from start to finish in a close fifth set that ended 15-11.
- YSU got a lift from its two All-Horizon League performers in the victory. Junior outside hitter Alexis Egler tied her career high with 18 kills, which was the most ever by a Penguin in the Horizon League Tournament. She had nine of those kills in the second set, and she added 19 digs for her 13th double-double of the season. Senior middle blocker Jenna Cavanaugh posted 11 kills and four blocks, and she had three kills in the final set.
- Aly Ryan recorded eight blocks, which is the most ever by a Penguin in the Horizon League Tournament. Four of those blocks came in the fourth set.
- Youngstown State had 12 kills in the fifth set on a .286 attack percentage and converted on 11-of-12 sideout chances. The Penguins hit at least .259 in four of the five sets, including .438 in the second.
- Senior outside hitter Jackie Carlisle played the final two sets, and she was a key in YSU's win in the fifth. After having one kill and two errors in seven attempts in the fourth set, she had three kills and no errors in eight attempts in the fifth.
This Season vs. Valparaiso
- Youngstown State and Valparaiso split their two matches during the regular season with each team wining on the road.
- Valpo beat YSU in straight sets at Beeghly Center on Oct. 11 in the Penguins' second match without Missy Hundelt. Valpo won 25-17 in the first set but had to go to extra volleyball in the final two sets in 28-26, 27-25 wins. The Crusaders hit .311 in the victory as YSU had just two blocks. Alexis Egler led the Penguins with 14 kills.
- On Nov. 9, Youngstown State spoiled Valparaiso's senior day by winning 25-18, 18-25, 25-21, 16-25, 15-11. In a big contrast to the first meeting, YSU blocked 13 attacks in holding the Crusaders to a .131 attack percentage. Egler was solid again with 17 kills and 22 digs.
- Egler averaged 3.88 kills and 3.75 digs in the two matches against the Crusaders during the regular season. Sarah Dooms was Valpo's top threat against the Penguins with averages of 3.12 kills and 3.75 digs.
