The Slippery Rock University volleyball team traveled to Daemen College in Amherst, New York to compete in the Hyatt Place Volleyball Classic over the weekend.
The team started off the weekend strong winning each of their matches on Friday night.
The first match was nothing short of exciting, as Slippery Rock battled host Daemen to a five-game set. The Rock would start the night off at a good place, with wins in the first two matches with scores 25-20 and 25-22. Daemen would take over in the following two matches claiming victories at 23-25 and 16-25. It would set up an exciting fifth game on the first night of play. Sophomore Beth Stumpf shined with 13 kills and 14 digs throughout the match, leading the team to a fifth set win with a score of 15-10 to take the match.
With the second match of Friday night’s competition, Slippery Rock faced off against Roberts Wesleyan College, out of Rochester, New York. Wesleyan would take the first match 23-25. However, Slippery Rock did not back down as they would go on to win the following two matches 25-22 and 25-15, Which set up a deciding game four for Slippery Rock. With the game tied at 26-26, freshman Zoe Rivet stepped up broke the tie with a serving ace, as The Rock would go on to close out the game with a 28-26 win to take the second match of the tournament.
Heading into the final day of the classic carrying a record of 4-2 on the season, Slippery Rock opposed Assumption College of Worcester, Massachusetts. Assumption was no match for The Rock, as the team would take the sweep shutout with scores of 25-21, 25-18 and 25-21. Senior Leah Jones led the way in the victory with seven kills and the team high in digs with 15.
The last match of the weekend took place with Slippery Rock looking to go 4-0 as they battled Saint Rose College of Albany, New York. The Green and White had dominant first set in the match, as they took down their opponents 25-13. Saint Rose did not back down, as they took set number two 25-18. Battling right back, Slippery Rock took set number three 25-23. Saint Rose, quickly regained the momentum in set four, winning 25-15. This set up for the exciting set five as The Rock hoped to close out their weekend strong.
Slippery Rock started out controlling a 7-4 lead before falling 15-8. Junior Courtney Oberlander had a match-high 28 digs, along with her efforts Rivet had 24 assists as well as freshman Mattie Taggart with 3 blocks.
Slippery Rock will carry their 5-3 record to West Virginia this upcoming weekend. The team will be squaring off against the defending NCAA Division II Champions Wheeling Jesuit on Friday before playing at West Liberty on Saturday.
