SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - The Slippery Rock University volleyball team overcame an early deficit to defeat Kutztown University, 3-2, Friday night at Morrow Field House for what was SRU's second straight five-set win.
 
The Rock and Golden Bears split the first two sets with KU taking the opener 25-22 and SRU answer backing with a 25-23 victory in the second set before Kutztown narrowly outlasted The Rock in the third for a 26-24 victory to take a 2-1 lead.

However, Slippery Rock persevered by winning the fourth set 25-18 to force a fifth and deciding set.
 
As was the case for the majority of the night, Slippery Rock and Kutztown traded points for most of the fifth set as the two teams played out to a 9-9 tie. The Rock proceeded to take control of the set with a match-deciding 6-1 run to give SRU the victory.
 
With the win, Slippery Rock improves to 6-6 overall and 1-1 in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference competition. Slippery Rock is now 6-3 in five-set matches over the last two years. The Golden Bears drop to 6-5 overall and 0-1 in league matches with the loss.
 
SRU received heavy contributions from virtually everyone who took the court Friday night.
 
On the attack, Abigail Koeller recorded a team-high 15 kills on an impeccable .343 hitting percentage. Stephanie Jacobsen and Kaley Fucci chipped in 14 kills and 13 kills, respectively, as well. Tiara Teague added five kills and Abigail Nigon tallied four kills of her own also.
 
Zoe Rivet had a fantastic night. She guided The Rock's offense with 46 assists all the while serving four aces, two of which came over the match's final three points. Jacobsen and Jalyn Willard posted two aces apiece as well while Koeller and Fucci both registered one each.
 
Defensively, SRU collected a near season-high 10 blocks. Nigon paced the blockers with eight rejections (one solo / seven assisted), while Fucci added five block assists followed by three block assists from Logan Whitaker and two by Teague.
 
Willard made a team-high 21 digs. Additionally, Fucci (13), Koeller (13), Rivet (12) and Jacobsen (10) all hit the double-digit dig plateau too which resulted in double-double nights for the quartet.
 
For the match, Slippery Rock held advantages over Kutztown in attack percentage (.200-.177), aces (10-4) and blocks (10-7).
 
Holly Owen led Kutztown with a match-best 30 kills while Abbey James passed out 34 assists.
 
Slippery Rock will look to push its winning streak to a season-long three matches with a victory Saturday at home against East Stroudsburg University. First serve against the Warriors from Morrow Field House is scheduled for 1 p.m.



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