KUTZTOWN, Pa. – The Kutztown University women's volleyball team fell victim to the Millersville Marauders by a 3-1 tally in a weekend-opening Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference East Division bout at Keystone Arena.
The Golden Bears (1-24, 0-11 PSAC East) continued to put up several strong stretches of play, but only mustered up one set victory in the third set before conceding the match to the visiting Marauders (14-12, 6-5 PSAC East), a team that is currently in the hunt for a conference postseason spot.
Kutztown struggled to find their footing in the opening frame before rattling off a pair of two-point margins in a second-set loss (25-23, Millersville) and third-set victory (25-23, KU), but the final set defeat wrapped up the four-set match.
A trio of Golden Bear freshmen recorded double-digit kills, with Christina Lockett (Gaithersburg, Md./Tuscarora) and Grace White (Quakertown, Pa./Quakertown) each tallying 11 kills and setting a positive hitting mark on the night. Middle hitter Bryanna Carter (Abingdon, Md./Edgewood) picked up ten kills and had four block assists. White led the way with five block assists and 14.5 points on the evening. Emma Baldridge (Damascus, Md./Damascus) and Saige Thibodeaux (Cape Coral, Fla./Ida S. Baker) had 17 and 15 set assists, respectively. Noelle Slye (Saratoga Springs, N.Y./Saratoga Springs) contributed with 13 digs and a pair of aces, both second on the night.
Sophomore Brynn Buschta (Fogelsville, Pa./Northwestern Lehigh) made the most of her limited action, leading the Maroon and Gold with three service aces. Mallory Hoch (Zionsville, Pa./Southern Lehigh) continued to fill the libero role, pacing the team with 25 digs. Senior Julia Post (Sellersville, Pa./Pennridge) also took advantage of extra playing time, contributing four block assists while contributing in all four sets.
KU was once again shorthanded, missing key contributors such as sophomore middle hitter Sarah Hess (Landisville, Pa./Hempfield) and rookie libero Lexi McLanahan (Hollidaysburg, Pa./Hollidaysburg Area), among others.
As for Millersville, the team picked last in the East Division by the PSAC's coaches remains in contention for a spot in the PSAC Women's Volleyball Championship. Heading into tonight's game, the Marauders sat in the fourth and final spot in the division, and this win helps their chances of claiming a postseason spot.
The Golden Bears finish their home competition with a Saturday afternoon match against West Chester tomorrow, Nov. 9, at Keystone Arena. The game is the team's senior day, as Anna Parmer (Firestone, Colo./Mead) and Julia Post (Sellersville, Pa./Pennridge) will be joined by three-year student-athlete Grace Ingram (Allentown, Pa./William Allen), who will all be recognized prior to the 4 p.m. game.
