MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. – Freshman outside hitter Lauren Decker erupted for a career-high 24 kills as the RMU volleyball team battled back from an early deficit to earn a thrilling 3-2 (23-25, 29-27, 25-20, 24-26, 15-7) victory over Youngstown State Tuesday night at the UPMC Events Center.
The win marked the Colonials' first Horizon League victory of the season, moving RMU to 3-9 overall and 1-0 in league play. Youngstown State falls to 4-8 overall and 0-1 in the Horizon League.
After dropping the opening set, 25-23, RMU responded by edging the Penguins, 29-27, in a marathon second frame. The Colonials then took control with a 25-20 third-set victory before YSU forced a decisive fifth set with a 26-24 win in the fourth.
With the match hanging in the balance, RMU dominated the final frame, racing to a 15-7 victory to secure the comeback.
Decker led all players with 24 kills on 51 attacks, hitting .353 while adding 20 digs and two blocks. Her 24 kills marked a career high.
Junior outside hitter Layla Todd added 15 kills and a career-high 14 digs, while Keira Hornung delivered a strong all-around performance with 10 kills, a .222 hitting percentage and a match-high 10 blocks. Hornung also recorded a career-high 16 points.
Middle blocker Tia Schultz chipped in eight kills and seven blocks, while Addyson Butts contributed six kills while hitting .286.
Setter Kenlee Barnard orchestrated the RMU attack with a career-high 56 assists, while also adding nine digs and three blocks.
Defensively, libero Maddie Siphakongviseth anchored the Colonials with a career-high 30 digs.
RMU finished the night with a decisive statistical advantage, recording 67 kills to Youngstown State's 47 while hitting .246 as a team. The Colonials also held advantages in blocks, 13-8, and digs, 88-75.
After YSU claimed the opening set, RMU responded by hitting .217 in the second and .237 in the third to take a 2-1 lead in the match. The Penguins then forced a fifth set with a narrow fourth-set victory.
The Colonials saved their best for last, hitting an impressive .455 in the decisive fifth set, recording 10 kills without an error on 22 attacks.
The victory gives RMU its first Horizon League win of the 2026 campaign and extends the Colonials' momentum following back-to-back sweeps of Siena and Maryland Eastern Shore last weekend.
UP NEXT
The Colonials continue Horizon League play on the road Friday and Saturday against IU Indy in Indianapolis. First serve Friday is set for 6:00 p.m., with Saturday's match scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
