The University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg women's volleyball team battled Franciscan University on Tuesday evening at Chambers Hall, but the Bobcats fell in straight sets, 25-20, 25-21, 25-9. With the result, Pitt-Greensburg moved to 2-5 on the season.
Pitt-Greensburg was led offensively by Damia Sibblies, who put together an efficient performance with a team-high 12 kills on 27 attacks while committing just three errors for a .333 hitting percentage. Abigail Smulik added seven kills, nine digs and 11 assists, while Lauren Fajbik finished with five kills.
The Bobcats stayed with the Barons throughout a competitive opening set. The first frame featured seven ties and three lead changes before Franciscan eventually pulled away for a 25-20 victory. Pitt-Greensburg produced 10 kills and hit .133 in the set.
Pitt-Greensburg turned in its strongest offensive output of the evening in the second set, recording 13 kills on 48 attempts. The Bobcats again kept the margin close but were unable to overcome Franciscan, which took the set 25-21 to build a two-set advantage. Franciscan then closed the match with a 25-9 win in the third.
Defensively, Ainsley Martin paced Pitt-Greensburg with 11 digs, while Smulik collected nine and Hannah Binns added eight. Smulik and Lilly Buckles shared the setting duties with 11 assists apiece. Mia Stohon recorded the Bobcats' lone service ace and also contributed a block assist.
Franciscan finished the match with a .278 hitting percentage and 46 kills, compared with 28 kills and a .104 hitting percentage for Pitt-Greensburg. The Barons were led by Logan Hickey's match-high 20 kills, while Anna Guard added 14.
The loss moves Pitt-Greensburg to 2-5 overall, while Franciscan improves to 5-3.
The Bobcats will travel to Kenyon on Saturday for a tri-match featuring host Kenyon and Geneva.
