SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University volleyball team lost a competitive three-set Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division match to Gannon University Friday at Morrow Field House.
 
SRU played the Golden Knights tight for the duration of Friday's match, but would come up short with 25-20, 25-23 and 25-21 set losses.
 
Slippery Rock exits the match with a 6-11 overall record and a 2-3 mark in the PSAC West while Gannon improves to 11-4 overall in addition to remaining a perfect 5-0 inside conference competition.
 
Abigail Koeller finished just shy of a double-double after ending the night with a team-high nine kills to go with 12 digs, one ace and one block. Alayna Chizmar supplemented Koeller's offensive output with seven kills of her own in addition to a pair of blocks and an ace.
 
Chelsie Wheeler came off the bench to tally six kills on a .385 attack percentage while Erica Selfridge chipped in six kills, 14 digs, an ace and one block. Jaeden Yost and Peytan Gullickson combined for 27 assists with 16 and 11, respectively, while Yost also made 11 digs for her ninth double-double of the season.
 
Rounding out The Rock's offensive leaders was Maria Lucas who served two aces in what was her third consecutive match with multiple aces.
 
Abigail Nigon closed the contest with a match-best three blocks (two solo / one assisted). Mary Berger also registered a block as well as three kills.
 
Kate Lachendro, one of the nation's digs leaders, posted a match-best 23 digs for her 12th 20+ dig showing of the season.
 
For the match, the Golden Knights held advantages over Slippery Rock in kills (45-34) and attack percentage (.223-.151) while The Rock bested Gannon in aces (6-5), total blocks (6-3) and digs (73-72).
 
As the final scores indicate, all three sets were either teams to win. However, Gannon was ultimately able to pull out the sweep thanks to runs at the end of each set.
 
The first set saw GU take nine of the final 14 points followed by a 4-0 run to end the second and finally a 10-6 spurt at the conclusion of the third and deciding set. Sam Deinek led Gannon in the victory with 17 kills.
 
Slippery Rock will look for its third win in its last four matches when it hosts Mercyhurst University 2 p.m. Saturday at Morrow Field House.




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