By: Andrew Gavin (@GBGavin)

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (GreenBayPhoenix.com) – The visiting Green Bay volleyball team had four players tally double-digit kills and three players record a double-double on Friday night, but Youngstown State used an impressive blocking game to rally for a 3-2 win (24-26, 25-16, 20-25, 25-14, 15-11) in Horizon League action at the Beeghly Center.

Junior Taylor Kasal (Westmont, Ill.) had 17 kills and 13 digs to lead the Phoenix, and freshman Beth Kuske (Germantown, Wis.) had a career-best night offensively with 15 kills. Sophomore transfer Megan Powers (Glendale, Ariz.) added 12 kills and freshman Abby Jeffcoat (Racine, Wis.) recorded a double-double with 11 kills and 16 digs to give the Phoenix four hitters in double digits.

In a back-and-forth first game, Green Bay rallied from a 15-9 deficit to claim a 26-24 victory. The Phoenix had 21 kills and hit .326 in the set, with Kuske, Kasal and Powers each tallying five.

YSU rebounded to take set two, but Green Bay came out strong after intermission led in part by the play of Kuske. The freshman tallied three kills in the set and had 13 kills after three sets in leading the Phoenix to a 2-1 lead.

After the Penguins evened the match, the two teams took the court for the decisive fifth set. The set was evenly played, with Green Bay taking a 9-8 lead to force a YSU timeout. Like they had throughout the match, the Penguins responded and claimed seven of the final nine points to earn the victory. The Penguins used 14 team blocks, including seven in the final two sets, to help slow the Phoenix. 

In leading the Phoenix to a season-high 66 kills, junior setter Emily Riese (Fond du Lac, Wis.) had 54 assists. She also had 11 digs as one of three players with a double-double.

Green Bay will continue its Ohio road swing on Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. CST, playing at Cleveland State.  

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