WEST CHESTER, Pa. - The Slippery Rock University volleyball team went the distance with West Chester University on the road Friday night, but the Golden Rams were ultimately able to capture a five-set Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference victory over The Rock.
 
West Chester (14-8, 2-7 PSAC) took the opening set from Slippery Rock (7-13, 2-6 PSAC) 25-17, but SRU answered right back with 25-21 and 25-19 victories to take a 2-1 lead into the fourth set.
 
The Golden Rams were able to force a fifth and deciding set by coming away with a 25-17 win in the fourth. WCU pushed its way out to a 14-12 lead in the final set, but Slippery Rock continued to fight as Erinn Kahoe registered back-to-back kills to tie the contest at 14-14.
 
However, The Rock's comeback bid would be halted there as West Chester closed the match by scoring three of the next four points to earn the 17-15 victory.
 
Abigail Koeller had a great night for The Rock. She provided SRU with a career-high 19 kills on a .348 attack percentage in addition to 18 digs, two digs and one block. The 19 kills marked the fourth highest total by a Rock freshman since 2002.
 
Gabby Huck had her top offensive performance of the season after turning in a 16-kill effort that included one ace and one block. Sophie Varndell was SRU's third player to finish with double-digit kills after registering 11 of her own.
 
Kahoe, who also had nine kills, paced the defensive effort for Slippery Rock with four total blocks (three solo / one assisted). Stephanie O'Donnell also had a pair of blocks for The Rock.
 
Zoe Rivet and Stephanie Jacobsen rounded out The Rock's top performers Friday. Rivet guided the offense with 48 assists all the while serving two aces. Jacobsen made a team-high 24 digs.
 
West Chester held team edges over Slippery Rock in attack percentage (.196-.178), aces (8-5) and total blocks (8-7). Julia Vreeswyk led West Chester with 15 kills and four blocks.
 
Slippery Rock returns to competition 1 p.m. Saturday at Millersville University.
 
 
 
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