GREEN BAY, Wis. - Green Bay volleyball team had a furious comeback, but ultimately fell in five sets to the Oakland Golden Grizzlies Friday night at the Kress Center.
The Phoenix dropped to 14-7 overall and 5-2 in Horizon League play, while Oakland improved to 7-11 overall and 3-3 in conference action.
Alexandra Zakutney had a double-double, registering 17 kills and 14 digs. Cora Behnke added 13 kills to help the attack. On the defensive end, Annelise Sparks chipped in with 18 digs to go with three blocks from Ellie Kurpeikis.
HOW IT HAPPENED
SET 1 | The Phoenix notched the first point before Oakland ripped off six consecutive points, taking a 6-1 lead. However, Green Bay would respond by scoring eight of 11 to tie the opening set at nine. Zoi Sherolli tacked on two kills, while Behnke and Calli Gentry notched a kill. It ultimately wasn't enough as Oakland pulled away for a 25-19 first-set victory.
SET 2 | Neither team could get going, committing multiple attack errors. Green Bay took advantage of eight attack errors by the Golden Grizzlies while posting a solid hitting percentage of .262. Down 20-18, Zakutney guided the Phoenix to a 25-22 set win by getting a hot hand, racking up three kills in the final seven points GB scored.
SET 3 | Green Bay grabbed a quick 4-2 lead in set number three before Oakland went on a 6-1 run to take a 9-6 lead. The Phoenix responded, getting three straight points to tie it up at nine. From there, both teams went back and forth. GB had their backs against the wall, down 23-19, but wouldn't go away, rattling off three points. Zakutney notched two kills and GB got another from Gromos. A Jessica Riedl kill and Gromos attack error ended the set, giving Oakland a 2-1 advantage.
SET 4 | The fourth set was an anomaly in Friday's match, with Green Bay blowing out the Golden Grizzlies 25-13. Oakland led 4-2 but couldn't get anything going after that, finishing the set with a .029 hitting percentage. Behnke and Zakutney were nearly unstoppable, combining for nine kills in the lopsided fourth-set win.
SET 5 | Green Bay flipped the script to begin the fifth set, taking a quick 5-3 advantage. Libby Gentile would enter the game for Oakland and make an immediate impact, garnering two kills to help give the Golden Grizzlies an 8-6 lead. Green Bay came back to take a 10-6 lead after Cesarini's attack error. It was down to the wire, with GB holding a 14-13 advantage after Shannon Coughlin notched her ninth kill. In the end, Oakland scored three consecutive points, thanks to efforts from Cesarini and Gentile, who tallied kills in two of the final three points to win the match.
GAME NOTES
» Green Bay had three players in double figures in kills.
» Ellie Kurpeikis led GB with four blocks.
» Kayla Lass had a team-high three aces.
» Green Bay attackers were helped by a match-high 49 assists from Calli Gentry.
UP NEXT
The Phoenix has a short turnaround, facing Cleveland State tomorrow at 4 PM. GB's four-game home stand continues next Friday against Milwaukee.
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