GREEN BAY, Wis. – On Friday night, the Green Bay volleyball team picked up a four-set win (24-26, 25-20, 25-20, 27-25) over visiting Youngstown State at the Kress Events Center. The Phoenix used a balanced offensive attack and timely defense to secure the victory and start 1-0 in Horizon League play.
For Green Bay, Diane Pichelman led the offense with a career-high 19 kills, hitting an impressive .415. Gillian Koning added a career-high 12 kills, and Olivia Neumann chipped in with her own career-high of 11. Pichelman also added 4 blocks. Defensively, Kennedy Schmitz and Emma Johnson paced the team with 17 digs each, while Johnson also dished out 39 assists.
For Youngstown State, Abbie Householder led the Penguins with 13 kills, followed by Gabriela Machin with 10, and Taya Nordmann, who added eight kills and seven blocks.
HOW IT HAPPENED
SET 1 | Youngstown State came out strong in the opening frame, building an early lead and holding off a late Green Bay push to take the set 26-24. Green Bay had chances late but couldn't convert at the set point.
SET 2 | The Phoenix bounced back with a composed performance in the second set. Hitting .282, Green Bay leaned on Pichelman and Neumann to take control and close it out 25-20, evening the match at one set apiece.
SET 3 | Behind sharp hitting and a steady presence at the net, Green Bay pulled ahead in the third. With a .324 hitting percentage, the Phoenix controlled the tempo and again won it 25-20, taking a 2-1 lead.
SET 4 | The final set was the most dramatic, with both teams trading points throughout. Tied at 25-25, the Phoenix found clutch kills from Koning and Pichelman to take it 27-25 and seal the match.
GAME NOTES
- Green Bay recorded 58 kills on a .219 hitting percentage
- Youngstown State tallied 46 kills, hitting .172
- Aces: GB 6 | YSU 5
- Blocks: GB 6 | YSU 9
- Digs: GB 69 | YSU 60
- Green Bay's best statistical set was the third, hitting .324 with 16 kills
UP NEXT
Green Bay will face Youngstown State again tomorrow at 1 p.m. to close out opening weekend of Horizon League play. The Phoenix will then travel to face their instate rival, Milwaukee, on Tuesday, Sept. 30th at 6 p.m.
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