Kutztown 3, Philadelphia 1 (HTML Box Score) | Audio Archive

KUTZTOWN, Pa. – The Kutztown University women's volleyball team defeated Philadelphia University 3-1 in the season-opener Thursday evening at Keystone Arena led by Audrey Stringer (Yardley, Pa./Pennsbury) with 16 kills.

The Golden Bears (1-0) finished a close first set against the Rams (0-1), with neither team ever leading by more than four points. At 20-20, KU scored four of the next five points to win the set, 25-21.

In the second set, the Golden Bears mounted a 6-0 run, taking an 18-11 lead. KU held on to win the set, 25-16.

With a tied score of 18-18 in the third set, the Rams took a 4-0 run. The Golden Bears gained two more points, but ultimately fell 25-20.  

In the fourth and final set, the Golden Bears had three sets of runs totaling five points or more to jump ahead 23-10, to ultimately win the game 25-13.

Stringer's 16 kills were a career-high as she also led the team in block assists (4). She tied with Danielle Van Buren (Bethlehem, Pa./Saucon Valley) for the lead in solo blocks (2).

Freshman Anna Conti (Grove City, Ohio/Grove City) totaled 36 assists on the evening, and led KU in digs (15). Chelsea Braga (Long Beach, N.Y./Long Beach (Fairleigh Dickinson)) was second in digs with 11 while Liama Goodrich (Birdsboro, PA/Daniel Boone) finished second in kills (10).

Freshmen Morgynn McKenzie (Greencastle, PA/Greencastle-Antrim) and Zandria Zielinski (York, Pa./York Catholic) each had one service ace.

The Golden Bears return to action tomorrow Friday, Sept. 6, to face Caldwell College at 5 p.m. during day one of the Kutztown Classic at Keystone Arena.