Youngstown State University
3-5,0-0Horizon
Winthrop
2-4,0-0Big South
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winthrop | 25 | 19 | 20 | 22 | 1 |
| Youngstown St. | 18 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
Penguins Beat Winthrop in Four Sets on Saturday
9/12/2026 7:01:00 PM | Volleyball
Columbus, Ohio — Youngstown State's volleyball team had its best hitting percentage since its season opener and beat Winthrop 3-1 on Saturday afternoon at the Sports Imports Classic. The set scores against the Eagles were 18-25, 25-19, 25-20, 25-22.
The Penguins hit .290 in the match, while also posting nine aces and nine blocks to earn their first win away from Beeghly Center this season.
Layne Graffice led the Penguins in kills for the second straight day, posting 15 kills in 41 attempts while hitting .293. Ava Stratton and Kylie Surratt both contributed 11 kills, and Wrigley Takats had seven kills and five blocks. Ava Prince led YSU with 18 digs while adding 16 assists, and she and Kameron Blizniak helped the Penguins finish with 52 kills and just 10 errors.
Winthrop went on a 9-2 run midway through the first set to win 25-18, but Youngstown State responded with a 25-19 win in the second. Graffice had four kills in the set, and Korina Barber was in on all three of YSU's blocks.
Youngstown State's only deficit in the third set was 1-0, and the Penguins opened up a 9-4 lead. The margin was at least two the rest of the way, and Stratton had five of the Penguins' 18 kills in the set.
YSU opened up an 11-4 lead in the fourth on an Izzy Henry ace, and it fought off Winthrop after the Eagles tied the score at 22. Graffice's kill gave the Penguins a sideout, Takats and Henry followed with a block, and Prince had an ace on match point.
Youngstown State will play Ohio State on Sunday at 2 p.m. to finish its three matches at the Covelli Center. The match will be broadcast live on B1G+.
