Youngstown State University
6-9,2-2Horizon
Robert Morris
3-14,1-5Horizon
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Morris | 20 | 20 | 17 | 0 |
| Youngstown St. | 25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
Penguins Earn Home Sweep Over RMU on Tuesday
10/6/2026 10:05:00 PM | Volleyball
Youngstown, Ohio — Youngstown State's volleyball team hit .296 collectively while recording eight blocks defensively in a sweep of Robert Morris on Tuesday evening. The set scores inside Zidian Family Arena at Beeghly Center were 25-20, 25-20, 25-17.
The Penguins, who hit .091 as they battled through 48 ties and 23 lead changes in a 3-2 road loss to the Colonials two weeks ago, trailed no later than 17-16 in any set on Tuesday. There were just 12 ties and four lead changes as YSU improved to 6-9 overall, 5-2 at home and 2-2 in Horizon League play.
Kylie Surratt led the Penguins offensively with a match-high 12 kills on 18 attempts without an error. Layne Graffice followed with nine kills and just one error in 31 attempts, and Korina Barber posted eight kills in 16 swings. Barber was also strong defensively at the net with one solo block and five block assists, and the Penguins finished with eight blocks as a team.
Journey Nicola added 17 digs, Kameron Blizniak registered 29 assists and Hayden Rodriguez had her first career double-double with 13 assists and 11 digs. Blizniak surpassed 1,500 career assists, becoming the 11th setter in program history to reach the milestone.
The Penguins never trailed in the opening set, and they remained ahead after a Graffice kill broke a 7-7 tie. YSU built a 13-9 advantage with Graffice serving as Surratt had two kills in a three-point stretch, and the Penguins extended their lead to 19-13. The margin was at least three the rest of the set.
Robert Morris built its largest lead of the match early in the second set, forcing a Youngstown State timeout at 8-4. The Penguins trailed 9-6 before a 9-3 burst gave them a 15-12 lead, and they went on a 5-0 run later on Abbie Householder's serve after RMU reclaimed a 17-16 lead. Barber and Ava Stratton combined for two blocks during that run, and YSU went on to close the set by scoring nine of the final 12 points. Wrigley Takats recorded four kills on five attempts in the set, including one on set point.
The Penguins had the highest attack percentage of the match in the final set, posting 16 kills and just one error in 35 attempts for a .429. Neither team led by more than one until a Takats kill gave YSU a 10-8 lead, and the Penguins pulled further ahead when a 6-2 burst upped their advantage to 19-14. Barber and Householder had consecutive kills to set up match point, and Barber's eighth kill of the night clinched the victory.
Lauren Decker led Robert Morris with 11 kills on 37 attempts, and YSU held her to a .081 attack percentage.
Youngstown State will face four straight Horizon League road matches over the next two weekends, starting with two contests at Purdue Fort Wayne. The Penguins and Mastodons will play at 7 p.m. on Friday and 2 p.m. on Saturday.
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