Box Score 1 | Box Score 2



Clarion 3, Kutztown 2 (HTML Box Score) | Indiana (PA) 3, Kutztown 2 (HTML Box Score)
 
KUTZTOWN, Pa. – The Kutztown University women's volleyball team wrapped up a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Crossover Tournament at Keystone Arena on Saturday with two five-set matches, unfortunately both ended in the favor of two extremely tough opponents.

In the morning match, Clarion, who is currently coasting near the top of the PSAC West, squeezed out a 3-2 victory (26-24, 25-13, 27-29, 23-25, 15-4). In Saturday's nightcap, Indaina (PA) was the 3-2 victor (18-25, 27-25, 22-25, 25-23, 15-13).

On the verge of dropping the match in three sets, Kutztown (10-13, 4-8 PSAC) found itself down 24-21 late into the third, one point away from being sent home. Through amazing resilience and a Morgynn McKenzie (Greencastle, PA/Greencastle-Antrim) serving rally, the Golden Bears bounced back to win the third set 29-27 and send the match to a fourth set.
 
KU transferred the momentum and energy into the fourth; and after pushing out to a 17-9 lead, Kutztown tied the match at two sets apiece and forced a deciding fifth set (25-23).
 
In the final set, the Clarion Golden Eagles (23-1, 12-1) decided it was time to return to flight, completely dominating its way to an 11-0 lead, leaving the Golden Bears noticeably demoralized. With very little gas left in the tank, KU was only able to grab four points as Clarion took the set and match, 15-4.
 
Had things gone differently in the first set, the flow of the match could have changed drastically. KU dropped a hard-fought first set 26-24, followed by a 25-13 defeat in the second set.
 
Audrey Stringer (Yardley, Pa./Pennsbury) led the attack with 12 kills and only two errors, adding two blocks on defense. Chelsea Braga (Long Beach, N.Y./Long Beach (Fairleigh Dickinson)) also recorded 12 kills along with 10 digs.
 
Nicole Brumbley (Oxford, PA/Oxford) was third on the team with eight kills and only two errors, but really shined defensively at the net, leading the team with 10 blocks, her highest on the season. Danielle Van Buren (Bethlehem, Pa./Saucon Valley) added seven kills and eight blocks.
 
Madison Brake (Reynoldsburg, Ohio/Bishop Hartley) and Anna Conti (Grove City, Ohio/Grove City) led the team with 28 and 24 digs, respectively, with Conti accumulating 41 assists.
 
Kutztown (10-14, 4-9) was clearly ready to make amends after the tough first-match loss, as they stormed out to a 7-0 lead against the Indiana (PA) Crimson Hawks (7-17, 4-9) in the first set. The Golden Bears forcefully kept the lead until a 25-18 win.
 
Both squads fought back and forth through 16 tie scores and nine lead changes until IUP tied the match 1-1 with a 27-25 second-set victory.
 
The battle for dominance continued on into the third and fourth sets, as KU took the third (25-22) while IUP took the fourth (25-23).
 
For the second time in as many matches, Kutztown found itself playing a 15-point, fifth set to determine the victor. The entire set was neck-and-neck until IUP closed out the match with a 15-13 win.
 
Liama Goodrich (Birdsboro, PA/Daniel Boone) led the attack for the Maroon and Gold with 13 kills.
 
Freshman Zandria Zielinski (York, Pa./York Catholic) didn't hit the court until the third set, in which she tallied six kills. Zielinski would finish the match with eight kills, a career-high, and five blocks.
 
Brake again led the dig column with 24, while Emily Kopinski (Coopersburg, Pa./Southern Lehigh) hustled for 13 digs. Conti recorded 40 assists and a career-high six service aces.
 
Kutztown will return to action on Friday, Oct. 25, traveling to West Chester for a 7 p.m. match.