Watch Video Replay KUTZTOWN, Pa. – The Kutztown University women's volleyball team could not find an answer for the visiting University of Pitt-Johnstown's serving specialists on Saturday, as the Golden Bears dropped a 3-1 decision in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) East Division matchup from Keystone Arena.
Kutztown (11-14, 5-12 PSAC) came into the match rolling off a big win over Lock Haven the night before, and used the momentum to take the first set 25-23. Pitt-Johnstown (13-11, 9-8)'s Kendall Mahony went on a serving tear in the second set, and although a late comeback brought the Golden Bears back within two, UPJ held off for a 25-21 win. The Mountain Cats secured the match in the third and fourth sets, 25-14, and 25-19.
Save for Mahony's serving streak at the onset of the second, KU executed its most efficient work in the second set, tallying 10 kills with two errors.
Audrey Stringer (Yardley, Pa./Pennsbury) recorded a .375 hitting percentage to lead the squad with 13 kills, but could not secure a block for just the third time this season.
Chelsea Braga (Long Beach, N.Y./Long Beach (Fairleigh Dickinson)) was the only other Golden Bear in double figures with 11 kills, and notched the double-double with 11 digs.
Danielle Van Buren (Bethlehem, Pa./Saucon Valley) accounted for seven kills and three blocks, while
Aly York (Douglassville, Pa./Daniel Boone) added six kills and 16 digs.
Setter
Anna Conti (Grove City, Ohio/Grove City) led the defense with 18 digs and dished out 33 assists towards the attack. Libero
Madison Brake (Reynoldsburg, Ohio/Bishop Hartley) tallied 16 digs and
Zandria Zielinski (York, Pa./York Catholic) led the front line with five blocks. York and Braga executed two aces each.
UPJ received 16 kills and eight aces from Mahony in the winning effort. Cambria Wierman and Delaney Roman both hit in double figures. Nikki Oakes and Nicole Curan split the work at setter, accounting for 49 assists. Devan Orr had a game-high 31 digs along with five aces.
Kutztown continues its lengthy home stretch this Tuesday, Oct. 28, with an inter-division match against East Stroudsburg University at 7 p.m. from Keystone Arena. KU topped the Warriors 3-1 earlier this season.
