PITTSBURG, Pa. - The Glenville State Volleyball team battled in a five-set match tonight (Sept. 18), falling 3-2 to Point Park in the Mountain East Conference opener. GSU moves to (6-6, 0-1 MEC) on the year.
Point Park took control early in the opening set, creating separation as Glenville State worked to settle into the match. GSU continued to battle and cut into the advantage, but Point Park maintained its lead through the closing points to take the first set, 25-21. The second set featured a much tighter battle between the two sides. Glenville State stayed within striking distance throughout the frame as the teams traded points down the stretch. With the set tied late, Point Park was able to find the final points needed to secure a 25-23 victory and take a 2-0 advantage in the match.
Facing a two-set deficit, the blue and white responded in the third. The Pioneers found their rhythm offensively and created separation early in the frame.
GSU continued to build its advantage while limiting Point Park's opportunities to answer. Glenville State controlled the remainder of the set and earned a convincing 25-16 victory to extend the match. The Pioneers carried that momentum into the fourth set. The two teams battled back and forth throughout the frame with neither side able to create much separation. Glenville State remained composed in the closing points and came away with a 25-23 win, evening the match at two sets apiece and forcing a fifth. The deciding set remained close from start to finish. Glenville State and Point Park traded points as both teams looked to take control of the final frame. GSU remained within reach late, but Point Park was able to secure the final points of the night, taking the fifth set 15-13 and the match 3-2.
Final Stats
Point Park
Nicole Reasbeck and Patricia Calero-Irizarry led Point Park in kills with 13, and Marianna Oyola-Rivera added eight. Brooke Bednarski directed the Pioneers' attack with 21 assists, while Oyola-Rivera added 17 and Mia Arndt recorded three. Oyola-Rivera led Point Park from the service line with six aces with Te'Jah Montgomery and Arndt each adding one. Arndt added 17 digs, followed by Reasbeck with 11 and Oyola-Rivera with eight. Derin Cetin also led Point Park at the net with five blocks, while Sara Faith added four and Savannah Kitchen recorded three.
Glenville State
Juliana Nunez led Glenville State's offense with a match-high 20 kills as
Kendel Harris followed with 16 and
Gracie Brown notched 13.
Irmak Bezek directed the Pioneers' attack with 30 assists, while
Elitsa Peneva added 18 and
Cecelia Bryant recorded three. Bezek led GSU from the service line with three aces with
Deniz Selen Yazar and
Kassie Swink logging two apiece. Swink paced the defensive effort with a match-high 21 digs, followed by Harris with 10 and Bryant with seven. Selen Yazar and Nunez led Glenville State at the net with three blocks apiece and Brown added one.
Up Next For The Pioneers
The Pioneers return to action Tuesday (Sept. 22), welcoming Shawnee State to the Waco Center. The match is scheduled for 7 p.m.
