Slippery Rock University Athletics

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - The Slippery Rock University volleyball team opened the 2026 SRU Invitational on a high note Friday with a 25-16, 25-18, 25-20 sweep of Frostburg State University at Morrow Field House.
 
The Rock's three-set triumph was their third shutout of the year, bringing their record in 2026 to an even 4-4. The visiting Bobcats fell to 2-6 following the loss.
 
Slippery Rock closed out Friday's win holding advantages over FSU in virtually every statistically category including kills (38-25), attack percentage (.200-.065), aces (4-2) and digs (59-49). Frostburg State held a slight 6-5 advantage in total blocks.
 
SRU saw significant contributions from a host of athletes. As she has done for the majority of the season, Marley Annis paced the attack with a team-high 10 kills to go with 11 digs in the double-double effort. Emry Rumbaugh was close behind at eight kills on an efficient .261 attack percentage. She has recorded 32 kills in SRU's last three matches.
 
The middle blocker duo of Victoria Nalbach and Chloe Shirk were particularly effective inside Friday as the tandem posted identical stat lines of six kills and two blocks (one solo / one assisted) on virtually flawless .545 attack percentages.
 
Meanwhile, setters Paityn Krause (17) and Abby Kolcum (12) guided the offense with 29 of SRU's 36 assists. Krause also compiled 11 digs as part of her first double-double in 2026.
 
In terms of serving, Annis posted a pair of aces. Krause and Ellie Friedichs had one apiece as well. Krause has now served at least one ace in five consecutive matches.
 
Alongside Nalbach, Shirk, Annis and Krause defensively were Rumbaugh (two blocks) and libero Kara Pasquale (17 digs).
 
The Rock held early deficits in the first two sets. However, a 14-5 run in the opener and a 12-4 spurt in the second set gave way to respective 25-16, 25-18 victories.
 
The third set remained a close tilt for the duration. Both teams played to a 20-20 tie before SRU abruptly ended any thoughts of going to a fourth-set via a match-deciding 5-0 run that was capped off by an Annis kill for the 25-20 victory.
 
Alliyah McNair led Frostburg State with 10 kills and nine digs.
 
Slippery Rock returns to competition Saturday on day two of the SRU Invitational. The Rock first hosts Roberts Wesleyan University at 12:30 p.m. followed by a 5:30 p.m. match against Bloomsburg University.






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