CEDARVILLE, Ohio – The Glenville State Volleyball team dropped their first two games of the season today at the Cedarville Invitational in Ohio. The Pioneers recorded 59 total kills over the two matches.
Game 1 vs UNC Pembroke
UNC Pembroke opened the first set by going up 4-0 until Katarzyna Niderla put the Pioneers on the board with her first kill of the season. GSU stayed at a two-point deficit for most of the set but couldn't inch closer as the Braves answered each blow the Pioneers had. A Malerie Ross kill cut the lead to just one at 20-19 yet that was the last point Glenville scored in the set with UNC Pembroke ending the set on a 5-0 run.
In set two, Ross scored the first points with a kill that was assisted by Sarah Grainger. Nalaina Funk had back-to-back kills to help the Pioneers grow an early 8-5 lead. Following Pembroke cutting it to just one, the Braves had three-straight attack errors, making it an 11-7 set lead for GSU. UNCP made a run to close the gap and tie it back up at 17 and eventually take their first lead of the set at 18-17. The Braves jumped up to a three-point lead (21-18) and held off the Pioneers for the rest of the set, winning 25-21.
With UNC Pembroke beginning the third set up 2-0, GSU bounced back with a 7-0 run, eventually forcing the Braves to take a timeout. GSU eventually led by as much as six but UNCP went a run of their own, building a 16-13 lead. The Pioneers answered back to get the set tied at 20, eventually scoring the last five points to win set three.
Glenville State carried their momentum from set three to the fourth set, gaining an early 5-2 advantage due to multiple attack errors by the Braves. Niderla continued to add to her kill count even as the Pioneers quickly lost their lead to the strong UNCP attack. The Braves got even hotter, going on a 10-1 run and at last closed out the Pioneers 25-15 in the final set to take the three sets to one win.
Game 2 vs Palm Beach Atlantic
PBA began the first set with four quick points followed by three-consecutive attack errors to make it 4-3. Sydney Goodrich produced the first kill of the match for GSU yet the Sailfish would score six-straight to gain a comfortable lead. Sarah Grainger's back-to-back service aces and a pair of errors cut the deficit to three. PBA then closed out the set scoring seven of the final nine set points to win 25-17.
The 'Fish dominated set two after starting out slow, falling behind 6-4 to the Pioneers. After the slow start, PBA began to get their offense going with kill after kill and blocking GSU at the point of attack. Glenville State did put together six kills in the set, led by Niderla's three kills.
The Pioneers put up a fight in the third and final set of the match, trading blows with the 'Fish. In the middle of the set, GSU trimmed the PBA lead down to one on separate occasions but couldn't regain the lead. Palm Beach Atlantic were one point away from taking the set when Glenville State scored five unanswered points to make it 24-23. A quick kill ended the game, leading the Sailfish to the set and match win.
The Final Stats
Katarzyna Niderla led the Pioneers all day with 15 kills between the two matches. Rita Kelly added 13 and Sydney Goodrich finished with 10. Sarah Grainger recorded 27 assists against UNCP and 17 assists versus Palm Beach Atlantic.
Up Next For The Pioneers
Glenville State returns to action tomorrow morning against Shepherd at 9 a.m. and host Cedarville at 2 p.m.
