SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – The Kutztown University women's volleyball team won the opening set and went toe-to-toe with Southeast Division leader Shippensburg for the entirety of its four-set defeat Friday night in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) action at Heiges Field House.
Scores of the match were 30-32, 25-21, 25-19 and 25-14.
The Golden Bears (9-14 overall, 3-10 PSAC) had their highest-scoring set in the opener since they defeated then-Philadelphia University 33-31 on Sept. 12, 2015.
It was back-and-forth for the first 11 points of the first set until the Raiders (20-4, 12-1) took an 11-5 lead. Then KU ran off the next six points to tie the score, and later held a lead of 21-17 (its largest advantage that set). But Shippensburg scored eight of the next 11 points to get to match point, but a service error kept Kutztown alive, and it took advantage of the extra life as junior
Holly Owen (Hatboro, Pa./Hatboro-Horsham) tallied four kills within the next seven KU points to lead the Maroon and Gold to an opening set victory.
Owen tied a game-high with 20 kills and also had 15 digs and one ace.
Erin Patterson (Garnet Valley, Pa./Garnet Valley) was also a big hitter at the net Friday, tallying 13 kills.
Lauren Jackson (Stafford, Va./Mountain View) added six kills and three blocks for KU.
The Raiders woke up in the second set and bounced back, but had to hold on for the win. They had a 19-12 advantage before Kutztown rattled off eight of the next nine points to tie the score 20-20. A couple of team errors allowed Shippensburg to finish off the set. It then kept its momentum going with two more victories in the final two sets to take the match, their fifth straight win.
Lexi Morrow (Landisburg, Pa./West Perry) recorded 19 assists and had a season-high 15 digs, along with three aces.
Sydney Wilson (Bethlehem, Pa./Liberty) led the defense with 25 digs, and
Abbey James (York, Pa./West York Area) contributed 17 assists for KU.
Kutztown will next take on Shepherd tomorrow, Saturday, at 4 p.m. on the road.
