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SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University volleyball team (9-13, 4-5) fell to Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference-Western Division leading California (Pa.) (16-4, 9-0) 3-1 Saturday afternoon in Morrow Field House.

The visiting Vulcans jumped out to an early lead and eventually earned a 25-16 win over Slippery Rock in the opening set. California got off to a quick start again in the second frame before holding off a late rally by The Rock to pick up a hard fought 25-22 win.

California looked to end the match in straight sets with a 19-15 lead in the third frame, but consecutive kills from Sarah Beals and Kayla Byler sparked a late rally for Slippery Rock. The teams exchanged blows until Kristy Lake served The Rock to five straight points and a 26-24 victory in the third set.

Beals and Michelle Hren opened the fourth set with a pair of kills to give Slippery Rock an early lead, but Laurel Miller led the Vulcans to five straight points to launch California into the lead. The Vulcans outlasted The Rock to take the fourth set 25-17 and the match 3-1.

Caroline Houston led Slippery Rock with 17 kills and chipped in 15 digs. Lake tallied 13 kills, Byler had six kills and Beals added five kills.

Kayla Woo had 21 digs and Hren recorded six blocks to lead the defensive effort for The Rock. Janna Reilly tallied 24 assists and 11 digs, while Alexandra Fleagle chipped in 17 assists.

The Vulcans had three players with at least nine kills and two blocks, led by Miller with 15 kills and two blocks, Molly Delaney with 10 kills and three blocks and Mary Lavery with nine kills and four blocks. Jullie Henderson added 32 assists and three service aces.

With the loss, Slippery Rock drops to 9-13 overall and 4-5 in the PSAC. California remains undefeated in conference play (9-0) and improves to 16-4 overall.

The Rock returns to action Friday, Oct. 18 at its second PSAC crossover of the season in Lock Haven, Pa.