SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – Kutztown women's volleyball avoided a second straight match sweep by winning the third set, but concluded its 2023 season by falling to Shippensburg on the road 3-1 Saturday afternoon in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Eastern Divisional matchup.
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The Golden Bears finished the campaign with a 10-17 overall record and 3-11 mark in the conference. Scores of the match in favor of the Raiders (22-8, 13-1) were 19-25, 11-25, 25-18, 20-25.
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The duo of
Gabriela Fialova (Ledec nad Sazavou, Czech Republic/Sportovni Gymnazium Ludvika Danka) and
Sadie Doss (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Mechanicsburg) once again led the KU attack. They combined for 34 kills, with Fialova recording a match-high 18 and Doss tallying 16. They also combined for 28 digs with Fialova tallying 15 and Doss adding 13. The offense had a much more efficient match than Friday's loss at Shepherd, as they finished with a .148 hit percentage, compared to .016 last night.
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After dropping the first two sets, the Maroon and Gold didn't want to bow out in straight sets for the second straight day and responded. When they found themselves behind 10-9, the offense recorded four straight points to go on top 13-10, highlighted by a kill from Fialova and blocks by Fialova and
Sarah Hess (Landisville, Pa./Hempfield). KU never trailed the rest of the way and then extended a 19-17 advantage by rallying for five consecutive points and six of the final seven points to take the set.
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Shippensburg answered in set four. With the score tied at 2-2, the Raiders went on an 8-0 run to lead 10-2. The Golden Bears slowly climbed back and tied the score at 18-all before Ship scored five straight to finish off the match.
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Cat Farole (Orefield, Pa./Parkland) recorded 34 assists and nine digs. Hess notched four kills and two blocks.
Grace Ingram (Allentown, Pa./William Allen) had three kills, one dig and one block.
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Kutztown will graduate four student-athletes in Agosti, Doss, Farole and Fialova.
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