KUTZTOWN, Pa. – Matching up against the top seed in the Eastern Division, Kutztown women's volleyball battled back from losing the first two sets and came within just two points of taking the match to a decisive fifth set, but Shepherd held on late to win the match 3-1 by scores of 23-25, 13-25, 25-19, 23-25 Saturday afternoon in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference competition at Keystone Arena.
It was the second defeat in as many days for the Golden Bears (11-10 overall, 5-5 PSAC) in PSAC play, after winning their previous two matches.
The Rams (16-6, 8-2) came in as top team in the East and they showed why early. After hanging on for the victory in the opening set by just two points, Shepherd took a 6-1 lead early in the second and never looked back.
Kutztown, which dropped the road match at Shepherd 3-0 back on Sept. 24, did not want to experience another sweep, this time on its home court. KU, trailing 16-15 in a back-and-forth third set, scored 10 of the next 13 points to get into the win column. It was a similar look in the fourth set as the Maroon and Gold found themselves behind 15-11, but went on a 6-0 rally to go on top 17-15. KU then was in front 23-22, needing two points to finish off the set. But the Rams scored three straight points to take the match.
Adrianna Derstine (Barto, Pa./Boyertown) finished with 18 kills, 10 digs and five blocks.
Sadie Doss (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Mechanicsburg) tallied 13 kills, 11 digs and four assists.
Jasmine Mooney (Lehighton, Pa./Marian Catholic) recorded nine kills.
Lexi Morrow (Landisburg, Pa./West Perry) contributed 36 assists and two aces.
Gianna Agosti (Nesquehoning, Pa./Marian Catholic) had 20 digs and one ace.
Julia Post (Sellersville, Pa./Pennridge) led KU with six blocks and
Grace Ingram (Allentown, Pa./William Allen) added three blocks.
Kutztown hits the road for its next two matches, beginning next Friday, Oct. 28, at Millersville at 7 p.m. KU then takes on West Chester Saturday, Oct. 29, at 2 p.m.
