(GREEN BAY ATHLETICS) HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. -The Green Bay volleyball team nearly completed a five-set comeback against the No. 3-seeded Youngstown State Penguins, but fell in five sets (21-25, 21-25, 25-23, 25-23, 10-15) Friday at Regents Hall. Youngstown State will move on to the Horizon League Semifinal.
The Phoenix offense was paced by Katie Schulz, who finished with 19 kills on the day while accumulating a hitting percentage of .261. Diane Pichelman added 15 and Jessica Kurpeikis chipped in with 12 as part of a Green Bay attack that had four players with double-digit kills. Defensively, GB had two players reach double figures in digs as Emma Best had 24 and Emma Johnson had 15. Johnson also notched a season-high 58 assists.
The Penguins were led by Horizon League Player of the Year Abbie Householder, who finished the match with 29 kills. Gabriela Machin also finished with 27.
HOW IT HAPPENED
SET 1 | The Phoenix found themselves in an early hole, dropping the first set 25-21. Green Bay trailed by as many as eight points as Youngstown State grabbed the advantage for good at 6-5 in a set that was tied up five times before the Penguins took control.
SET 2 | Green Bay lost the second set 25-21, digging a 2-0 hole in the match. The Penguins led the entire way thanks to an efficient attack. YSU had 19 kills and a .385 attack percentage in the second set.
SET 3 | Green Bay got on the board with a win in the third set to make it a 2-1 match. The Phoenix took the set 25-23, propelled by a strong performance on the attacking side. Green Bay registered a .359 attack percentage with 16 kills. After the lead changed hands three times, the Phoenix took control for good at 21-20 and rode that advantage to victory. Green Bay’s front row had a solid defensive performance, blocking five Youngstown State attacks.
SET 4 | Green Bay continued their comeback, winning the fourth set 25-23 to bring the match level at two sets apiece. The Phoenix took the lead for good again at 21-20 in a set that featured 12 ties and eight lead changes. The Phoenix win came in a set where 18 of their 25 points came via the kill.
SET 5 | YSU jumped out to a 7-4 lead to start the fifth set, and never looked back, winning the set 15-10 and the match 15-10.
GAME NOTES
» Gillian Koning was the fourth GB player with double-digit kills, finishing with 12.
» Koning and Pichelman both had a match-high two aces.
» YSU outhit GB .341 to .235.
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