Youngstown, Ohio – The Robert Morris University volleyball team fell in straight sets to Youngstown State in a tune-up for their upcoming travels to Baltimore, Md. for the Maddie Bingaman Memorial Tournament.  The Colonials fell to 2-5 in the early season as they dropped the three sets by scores of 12-25, 17-25, and 16-25 Tuesday evening.  The loss comes just days after the program picked up their first wins of the season while co-hosting the Duquesne / Robert Morris Invitational.

RMU managed to hit just .021 in the match as only three Colonials managed a positive hitting percentage.  The Colonials were led by a tandem of outside hitters that included senior Lindsey Monger (Rising Sun, Md. / Rising Sun) and sophomore Sydney Sizemore (Taylor Mill, Ky. / Holy Cross) who combined for 14 of the team's 21 kills.  Seeing her first action of the season, freshman Olivia Wulf (Darlington, Pa. / Blackhawk) was the only other Colonial to maintain a positive hitting percentage.

The first set was dominated by Youngstown State (6-2 overall; 0-0 Horizon) as they tallied the first five points before RMU was able to get on the board.  The Colonials were unable to string together a run of any length as the Penguins went on to score 21 points before Robert Morris reached double-digits.  From there, Youngstown State would close the set by the score of 12-25.

The second set had a very similar start for the Colonials as they allowed the Penguins to obtain the first five points of the set.  Robert Morris would never get to within two points of Youngstown State as the team was unable to sustain a run of more than three points.  Down 12-15, RMU would allow the Penguins to go on an 8-0 run to put the set out of reach.  The Colonials tried to battle back with four of the final six points in the set before dropping the set 17-25.

In the third and final set, Robert Morris was able to open up with the lead thanks to a service ace from sophomore Hannah Hoffman (Parker, Colo. / Ponderosa).  That lead would be very brief as Youngstown State would take the next three points before RMU would rally to tie the score at three.  From that point, the Penguins would embark on a 7-1 run which would put the set and match out of reach for Robert Morris.  The Colonials would battle their way back to within two points with a 6-2 run midway through the set.  Youngstown State would put away the Colonials with a 16-25 victory in the third set.

The Colonials will travel to UMBC in Baltimore, Md. this weekend to take part in the Maddie Bingaman Memorial Tournament.  Robert Morris will take part in four matches over the two-day tournament as they open up with the tournament host Retrievers at 10:30 a.m. this Friday before concluding with a match against Howard at 4:30 p.m.

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