KUTZTOWN, Pa. – The Kutztown University women's volleyball team suffered a setback to University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown on Saturday afternoon, falling in three sets at home on Family Day.
KU, despite its straight-set defeat, continues to prove itself as a tough opponent this season. The Maroon and Gold held leads of four or more in each of the first two sets, but couldn't maintain these margins against the Mountain Cats of UPJ. Late runs of 7-1 in the opening set and 5-0 in the second set, respectively, allowed Pitt-Johnstown to pull in front at the most critical junctures in each frame. After proving itself in the clutch in the first two sets, UPJ used its momentum to fuel a third-set victory, getting out to a 5-1 lead and never looking back on its way to a sweep of Kutztown.
For the Golden Bears,
Holly Owen (Hatboro, Pa./Hatboro-Horsham) posted 19 kills in the match to bring her season total to 198 kills, hitting at a .333 clip to lead KU.
Brittney Moyer (Orwigsburg, Pa./Blue Mountain (Lock Haven)) added nine kills with
Lilly Charlton (Landenberg, Pa./Avon Grove) and
Jessica Howe (Chambersburg, Pa./Chambersburg Area) chipping in three a-piece.
Sydney Wilson (Bethlehem, Pa./Liberty) racked up a team-high 16 digs to lead the defensive effort. Setter
Abbey James (York, Pa./West York Area) notched a double-double, her fourth of the season, dishing out 15 assists and collecting 11 digs.
Amanda Meck (Fleetwood, Pa./Fleetwood Area) recorded 12 assists and ranked third on Kutztown with six digs.
Statistically, both teams were very even, as to be expected in a match separated by just twelve combined points. UPJ finished with 41 kills compared to KU's 35 kills and a .203 attack percentage compared to the Maroon and Gold's .136 clip. One area the Mountain Cats found an advantage was at the service line, ripping off six service aces as opposed to KU having just two.
Kutztown will have its final game of its three-game homestand on Tuesday, Oct. 2 at 7 p.m., taking on East Stroudsburg University at Keystone Arena.
