YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The RMU women's volleyball team dropped a Horizon League matchup to Youngstown State Tuesday night, falling to the Penguins, 3-0, at the Beeghly Center. The Colonials battled throughout the match but ultimately fell by set scores of 25-20, 25-20 and 25-17. With the result, RMU moves to 3-14 overall and 1-5 in Horizon League play, while Youngstown State improves to 6-9 overall and 2-2 in league action.
SET ONE
RMU and Youngstown State traded points early in the opening set before the Penguins created separation midway through the frame. The Colonials pulled even at 7-7 following consecutive Youngstown State attack errors, and Decker followed with a kill to keep RMU within two at 9-11.
Youngstown State answered with a 5-2 stretch to move ahead, 16-12. The Colonials continued to fight, getting kills from Hornung, Schultz and Decker, but the Penguins maintained their advantage.
RMU trimmed the deficit to 16-17 following a kill from Barber, but Youngstown State scored four of the next five points to take a 21-17 lead. The Colonials received late kills from Schultz and Todd to remain within reach, but the Penguins closed the frame, 25-20.
Decker registered four kills in the opening set, while Schultz and Hornung each added two. Youngstown State hit .238 in the frame compared to .103 for RMU.
SET TWO
The Colonials came out strong in the second set, building an early 5-2 advantage. Alvarado opened the scoring with a service ace, while Todd and Decker supplied kills as RMU established its largest lead of the set.
Youngstown State gradually worked its way back, eventually tying the score at 11-11. The teams continued to exchange points, with RMU responding each time the Penguins attempted to pull away.
A kill from Todd and consecutive points from the Colonials helped RMU move in front, 15-14. The Colonials then took a 17-16 lead after a kill from Barnard, marking their final advantage of the night.
Youngstown State answered with three straight points to regain the lead and eventually stretched its advantage to 21-17. RMU battled back with kills from Butts and Todd, cutting the deficit to 19-22, but the Penguins scored three of the final four points to take the set, 25-20.
SET THREE
The Colonials again started quickly in the third, taking an early 3-1 lead after a Hornung kill. RMU maintained a narrow advantage through the opening points, with Decker, Hornung and Todd helping the Colonials stay in front.
Youngstown State eventually pulled even at 8-8 before moving ahead, 10-8. RMU responded to tie the set at 11-11, but the Penguins began to build momentum midway through the frame.
The Colonials remained within striking distance at 13-15 before Youngstown State pushed its lead to 19-14. RMU continued to battle, with Schultz, Decker and Hornung producing kills, but the Penguins answered each Colonial push.
Youngstown State took a 23-16 advantage before Schultz recorded a kill to give RMU its 17th point. The Penguins then closed out the match, 25-17, to complete the sweep.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Decker led RMU with 11 kills and 12 digs, marking the team's only double-double of the evening. Hornung finished with nine kills, while Schultz added six kills and Butts recorded four.
- Alvarado posted a team-high 18 digs, while Barnard finished with 32 assists and eight digs. Todd contributed 11 digs and four kills, and Butts finished with four kills, two blocks and five points.
- Youngstown State finished the night with a .296 hitting percentage compared to .085 for the Colonials. The Penguins also held advantages in kills, 44-36, blocks, 8-2, assists, 43-36, and digs, 64-58.
UP NEXT
The Colonials return to action October 16-17 when they host Oakland for two games. Friday's match is set for 6:00 PM, followed by Saturday's match beginning at 3:00 PM.
