Youngstown State University
2-8,0-0Horizon
Kent State
5-6,0-0MAC
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Youngstown St. | 7 | 20 | 25 | 18 | 1 |
| Kent St. | 25 | 25 | 15 | 25 | 3 |
Penguins Battle But Fall in Four Sets at Kent State
9/16/2021 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
The Youngstown State volleyball team fought back from a rough first set but ultimately fell 3-1 at Kent State on Thursday night in the opening match of the Golden Flashes Invitational. The set scores were 25-7, 25-20, 15-25, 25-18.
First-year outside hitter Paula Gursching had all of her match-high 16 kills over the final three sets to lead the Penguins offensively, and Nadia Pace added six kills in 10 attempts. Reilly Seagroves had a team-best 12 digs, and Morgan Cleevely had three of YSU's eight aces.
Five Golden Flashes had at least eight kills, and Ainsley Guse led the way with an impressive stat line of 13 kills on 16 attempts without an error. Kent State hit .619 in the opening set and .373 for the match.
Kent State had 15 kills in 21 swings in the opening set as it sprinted to a 25-7 win, and the Golden Flashes scored seven of the first nine points of the second set as it built a 22-14 lead. Gursching had three kills over the rest of the set, and, although the Penguins lost 25-20, they build momentum for the remainder of the match.
Youngstown State hit .303 in the third set, a substantial upgrade from when it hit negative-.211 in the opening set as it won 25-15. YSU's only deficit was 1-0, and a four-point burst when the score was tied at 5-5 put the Penguins up for good. After posting seven kills in the second set, she had five more in the third. Ellie Cox had three kills in the set, and Cleevely had two of her aces.
The Penguins held a 13-12 lead at the midpoint of the fourth set, but Kent State outscored them 13-5 the rest of the match. The Golden Flashes had three blocks during the final stretch, including twice on Gursching attacks as they started the run.
Youngstown State will take on Duquesne at Kent State's M.A.C. Center on Friday at 6 p.m.
