Youngstown State University
2-4,0-0Horizon
Central Michigan
4-2,0-0MAC
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Youngstown St. | 12 | 23 | 25 | 15 | 1 |
| Central Mich. | 25 | 25 | 23 | 25 | 3 |
Penguins Finish Chippewa Invitational with Four-Set Loss to CMU
9/4/2021 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
The Youngstown State volleyball team pushed Central Michigan twice before falling to the Chippewas in four sets on Saturday at McGuirk Arena. The set scores were 25-12, 25-23, 23-25, 25-15.
The Penguins had the match's individual leaders in kills, assists, digs and blocks against the preseason MAC West Division favorites. Josi Borum had 15 kills, Lexie Beeke posted 36 assists, Reilly Seagroves posted 22 digs and Cheyenne Hlady blocked six attacks.
Paula Gursching added 10 kills and two aces, and she was YSU's representative on the all-tournament team. The freshman outside hitter averaged 4.18 kills per set over the three matches.
Central Michigan, which lost just two sets in three matches at its home tournament, benefitted from nine aces and a .276-.158 edge in attack percentage. The Chippewas had 16 more kills and 21 more digs than the Penguins.
CMU hit .433 in the opening set to win 25-12, but the Penguins' defense held the Chippewas to .213 and .175 attack percentages over the next two sets that were each decided by two points.
The entire second set was played within three points, but CMU was able to hold the advantage the entire way after it was tied at 13-13. The Penguins opened up a 17-12 lead in the third set after a block by Borum and Nadia Pace, and they fought off a Central Michigan charge by scoring the final three points of the set. Down 23-22, a Borum kill gave the Penguins a side out, and a CMU attack error and Gursching ace followed.
Central Michigan scored 10 of the first 13 points of the fourth set and led by at least three the remainder of the match to finish the win.
Youngstown State will play three matches at Toledo's Blue & Gold Tournament next weekend. YSU will play Valparaiso on Friday, and it will take on South Dakota State and Toledo on Saturday.
