INDIANA, Pa. – The Kutztown University women's volleyball team concluded this year's Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) crossover action with a pair of 3-0 defeats at the hands of California University (PA) and Indiana University (PA) on Saturday.
 
The Golden Bears (9-12, 3-10 PSAC) have gotten to know very well what the inside of the team bus looks like this season, as 19 of the team's 21 matches have been on the road. After tonight's trip back to campus, the team will enjoy nearly a month of home matches with seven in a row at Keystone Arena.
 
KU has played two matches a day seven times this year, including all four PSAC crossover days. Despite not winning against Western competition, Kutztown has gone 3-2 in Eastern Division matches and sits in fifth in the East. Notably, only one team in the East holds a winning record in conference play (Pitt-Johnstown).
 
Against the Vulcans (17-5, 10-2), Kutztown was within four points midway through the opening set, but saw California (PA) rattle off 12 of the next 17 to earn a healthy first set win (25-14). California (PA) took that momentum into a dominant second set and a seven-point win in the third set for the sweep.
 
Senior outside hitter Danielle Van Buren (Bethlehem, Pa./Saucon Valley) tallied a team-high eight kills. Audrey Stringer (Yardley, Pa./Pennsbury) and Zandria Zielinski (York, Pa./York Catholic) each had four as Zielinski added three blocks. Anna Conti (Grove City, Ohio/Grove City) and Kim Groff (Audubon, Pa./Methacton (Moravian)) each had 11 digs as Conti finished with 18 assists for the double-double.
 
Kutztown suffered two, two-point losses in the 3-0 loss to the Crimson Hawks (9-11, 5-8 PSAC). Trailing by three late in the first set (21-18), KU followed with six of the next seven points to take a 23-22 lead. Indiana (PA) responded with a timeout, two kills and a block to earn a 25-23 win.
                                                                                                                 
The Crimson Hawks won the second set, 25-18, but the Golden Bears did not give up with their backs against the wall in the third. Indiana (PA) soared out to a 9-4 lead and later held match-point with a five-point cushion (24-19). Van Buren stepped up with two kills and a block to lead the comeback as Kutztown tied the match at 24. Unfortunately for the Golden Bears, the Crimson Hawks scored next on a kill as the ensuing KU attack error ended the match.
 
Stringer tallied a team-high 12 kills with just one error for a .550 hitting percentage on 20 swings. Van Buren finished with nine kills as the duo accounted for 21 of the team's 29 kills. Madison Brake (Reynoldsburg, Ohio/Bishop Hartley) led the way defensively with 12 digs.
 
Conti had 25 assists in the nightcap to bring the sophomore's career total to 1,644 for seventh in school history. She also eclipsed 500 career digs over the weekend and currently has 515.
 
The Golden Bears open their homestand on Friday, Oct. 17 against Cheyney University at 7 p.m., and then turn around to face West Chester University on Saturday, Oct., 18 at 3 p.m. at Keystone Arena.