Youngstown, Ohio – The Robert Morris University volleyball team forced a fifth set out of a 2-1 deficit, but Youngstown State ultimately prevailed in the deciding frame as the Colonials fell 3-2 (15-25, 25-23, 22-25, 25-21, 11-15), this evening in Horizon League action from the Beeghly Center. RMU drops to 0-11 (0-11 HL) with the loss, while YSU moves to 3-6 (3-6 HL).
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Trailing 7-5 in the fifth set, RMU pulled even with YSU with a service error and Abby Ryan spike. The Penguins rattled off a 5-2 run after Ryan's point, forcing a timeout from the Colonials. That turned into an attack error and Alyssa Hudak kill to pull the visitors within one at 12-11, and the Penguins burned a timeout to squelch a potential run. YSU benefited of an error and served an ace to get to match point, then finished it off on an Isidora Sisic kill after another RMU timeout.
CLIMB THE BOARD
Senior setter Whitney Brown moved into sixth all-time at RMU in assists after posting a 42-assist, 11-dig double-double. Brown now has 2,204 helpers to her name, moving her past Michelle Bartlett (2,175; 1999-01) on the leaderboard and bringing her 181 shy of matching Kelly Wayne (2,385; 1995-98) for fifth place. The Senior CLASS Award candidate now has four double-doubles this season and 24 for her career.
BOUNCING BACK
Momentum seemed to be in the Penguins' favor after winning the first set, 25-15, and opening the ensuing frame with an 8-3 advantage. RMU swung back with kills by Maria Alfano and Abby Ryan, and two YSU errors pulled the visitors within one. The Colonials grabbed the lead at 16-15 with another Alfano swing and block, plus an Alyson Londot kill, and pushed the lead to 18-16 courtesy of a Nikolette Zanolli ace. The Penguins had an answer and tied it at 19-19, then drew even on the next two points before the Alfano-Londot combo sparked a 3-0 run to force set point. YSU managed to trim the deficit to 24-23, but a RMU timeout led to a Londot kill to tie the match at one set a piece.
CLIMB THE BOARD, PART 2
Fourth-year middle blocker Maria Alfano also continued her ascent in the RMU record books, as she moved up to ninth in total blocks (287). Alfano recorded a match-high five block assists this evening, adding 10 kills and four digs for a 12.5-point performance. The senior is 13 total blocks shy of becoming the ninth player in program history to reach 300, which would also pull her even with Leah Dunivan (300; 2013-16) for eighth on the leaderboard.
TIE IT UP
Neither team could gain an edge in the early stages of the fourth set, but a four-point rally put YSU ahead 10-8. The Colonials responded with a Ryan kill and two Penguin errors, kickstarting a 9-4 run ending with an Annie Monace ace at 17-14 and a timeout from the hosts. The advantage grew to 19-15 with another Ryan connection and Zanolli ace, but YSU responded with three straight points to pull within one. The pendulum swung back in RMU's favor with two kills from Emma Granger and one each from Brown and Hudak to make it 23-18, and an Alyssa Oswald error brought set point at 24-20. The Penguins extended the frame briefly with a Josi Borum swing, but Granger and Hudak teamed up for a block to force the deciding fifth stanza.
SERVE'S UP
Senior middle blocker Emma Granger showed off her serving prowess this evening, firing a match-high four aces as part of a 13.5-point performance. Granger, who missed the first nine matches of the season with an injury, is the program's all-time leader in service aces with 179 to her name. She added eight kills offensively and two blocks on defense, one coming of the solo variety.
HIGH HONORS
Freshman outside hitter Abby Ryan paced RMU with 12 kills, with junior Alyssa Hudak coming in right behind her at 11. Junior libero Nikolette Zanolli (20), senior defensive specialist Erika Wilt (17), and freshman outside hitter Annie Monaco (16) all established season-highs in digs, as the Colonials recorded 92 as a team. Josi Borum registered a triple-double for YSU, tallying 17 kills, 22 assists, and 18 digs.
NEXT UP
RMU finishes up the road slate of its spring schedule tomorrow at 5:00 p.m. when it gets a rematch against Youngstown State. The match will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
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