Volleyball Takes Home Opener against Kutztown to Kick Off Bobcat Invitational

FROSTBURG, Md. – The Frostburg State Volleyball team opened their home slate with a dominate 3-0 win over Kutztown on Thursday evening to kick off the Bobcat Invitational. 
 
Frostburg picked up their first three points off errors from Kutztown, until junior Amanda Knieper and senior Beverly Braun put down back-to-back kills to put the Bobcats in front 5-1.  FSU continued to rally, securing six consecutive points, with three being service aces from Braun, all helping increase Frostburg's lead to 11-2.  The Golden Bears earned a point to stop FSU's streak, before both teams went back and forth, each adding five points to their score.  The Bobcats then splurged for five more straight points, with sophomore Paige Mock picking up a kill, allowing the score to read 20-6 in favor of Frostburg.  Braun and freshman Dani Kunkle each earned a kill, both off assists from redshirt-junior Phoebe Lingold, before KU scored three consecutive points for their side, causing the score to read 22-9.  The Bobcats secured a pair of points before Knieper smacked down the final point of the match, helping FSU take the first set 25-11.
 
The Golden Bears took the first point of set two, before Braun hit down a kill to tie the game.  Kutztown rallied for four consecutive points for a commanding 5-1 lead, right before Frostburg struck for six straight points of their own, jumping in front 7-5.  The Bobcats continued to add to their advantage, with Mock earning another kill, and Braun picking up another service ace.  Both teams traded points once more, with FSU still in the lead 15-9.  KU struggled on the offensive end, coughing up four attack errors that led to four more Frostburg points.  Kutztown then got two points back, before a service ace from freshman Emery Kuebler and a kill from Braun brought the set to match point, 24-13.  The Golden Bears fought for three more points, before a KU error allowed Frostburg to capture the 25-16 win in set two. 
 
FSU kept their momentum going in set three, running out to a 4-0 lead, as freshman Devin Brunk picked up a service ace as well.  KU scored their first two points of the match in a pair, before a trio of points by the Bobcats saw the score at 7-2.  The Golden Bears were able to get within one, until a kill from senior Brenna Siperko, followed by an error from KU, brought the score to 10-7.  Frostburg continued to tack on the points, with Kunkle, Braun, and sophomore Maya Johnson each swatting down a kill to increase the game to 15-9.  FSU went on another solid scoring run, taking five straight points off a kill from Braun, advancing their lead to 20-10.  Kutztown was able to secure four more points but kills from Braun and Siperko helped start the rally to a 25-12 victory for the Bobcats in set three. 
 
Braun led all scores with 10 kills, as Kunkle was right behind her with six.  Braun also knotted five service aces, while Mock put up seven blocks on defense, and Kuebler led the way in both assists (19) and digs (10). 
 
With the win, Frostburg has won four straight, putting their record at 4-3, while Kutztown falls to 0-8 on the season.  The Bobcats return to action at home tomorrow, hosting Goldey-Beacom at 5 PM in the Bobcat Invitational.  For more information and updates, please visit frostburgsports.com.