The University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg women's volleyball team fell to La Roche University in straight sets (25-22, 25-17, 25-14) Saturday afternoon at Chambers Hall in Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) action.
With the loss, the Bobcats move to 6-15 overall and 3-7 in conference play, while the Redhawks improve to 8-11 overall and 5-5 in the AMCC.
Pitt-Greensburg battled throughout a competitive opening set that featured 13 ties and six lead changes. The Bobcats recorded 12 kills and hit .170 in the frame, but La Roche managed to pull away late to secure a narrow 25-22 victory.
The Bobcats increased their offensive production in the second set, recording a match-high 16 kills on 50 attempts. Despite the improved attack, La Roche used an efficient offensive performance, hitting .250 with just one attacking error, to take the set 25-17 and build a 2-0 advantage.
In the third set, Pitt-Greensburg struggled to find its offensive rhythm, recording eight kills against 11 errors. The Redhawks capitalized to claim the final set 25-14 and complete the sweep.
Lauren Fajbik led the Bobcats offensively with nine kills, while Abigail Smulik turned in an all-around performance with seven kills, 24 assists, 11 digs, one service ace and a solo block. Jackie Shields provided a spark with six kills on 16 attempts, hitting a team-best .250 among players with at least 10 attempts.
Gianna Monzo added five kills, while Mia Stohon contributed four kills and a block assist.
Defensively, Emily Hernandez paced Pitt-Greensburg with a team-high 12 digs. Smulik and Ainsley Martin each added 11 digs, while McKenna Pore chipped in seven.
As a team, Pitt-Greensburg finished with 36 kills, 33 assists and 49 digs. The Bobcats held a 36-32 advantage in total kills but were limited by 24 attacking errors and 11 La Roche service aces.
Olivia Sickmiller led the Redhawks with eight kills and three service aces, while Kaci DePalma recorded a match-high 17 digs.
The Bobcats will return to Chambers Hall on Wednesday, October 28, when they host Penn State Altoona in AMCC action. Prior to the match, Pitt-Greensburg will celebrate Senior Day, recognizing its graduating seniors for their contributions to the women's volleyball program.
