D'Ambrose Gets 2,500th Assist in Loss to Oakland

by YSU

Sunday, Nov 3, 2013 7:06 am

The Youngstown State volleyball team had its worst attacking day of the year, and Oakland took advantage by beating the Penguins in four sets, 25-20, 25-18, 20-25, 25-22, on Saturday afternoon at Beeghly Center.

The Penguins were held to a .079 attack percentage as Oakland registered eight blocks, and YSU committed 16 more attack errors. The Golden Grizzlies dug 80 attacks and hit .149 as a team.

With the loss, YSU dropped to 14-11 overall and 6-4 in Horizon League play. The Penguins still hold a half-game lead on Oakland (12-14, 6-5) in the standings, but the Golden Grizzlies hold the tiebreaker due to a sweep in the season series.

Penguin senior Casey D'Ambrose recorded the 2,500th assist of her career in the loss. Shannon Watson led the offense with nine kills, and Erika West was one of four YSU players in double figures in digs with 18.

Jessica Dood had 17 kills, and Melissa Deatsch and Cassie Pelloni posted 14 kills apiece. Taylor Humm had a match-high 23 digs.

YSU led 13-10 in the opening set when Oakland went on a 10-2 run to go up 20-15. The Golden Grizzlies scored seven straight points at one point in the run behind Ciara Schultz's serve. YSU closed the gap to 21-19 before Oakland scored four of the final five points. Oakland then went on a 13-4 run in the second set to go up 17-8 in a 25-18 victory.

Youngstown State pulled away midway through the third set and took a 22-15 lead on a Dood error. Oakland got to within 22-19 before YSU scored three of the final four points.

The fourth featured 12 ties, and the largest lead by either team was when Oakland held a 16-13 advantage. Youngstown State scored the next five points to go up 18-16, and the teams deadlocked for the final time at 20-20. A serving error gave the Golden Grizzlies a side out, and Oakland went on to score five of the final seven points.

Youngstown State will play at UIC and Valparaiso next weekend.

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