UNION, N.J. – The Frostburg State volleyball team fell twice on the second day of the Kean Tournament, first to Trine, 3-1, and then to Springfield, 3-0, Saturday afternoon.
The Bobcats (10-11) kept the first match close, narrowly losing by just a combined seven points in four sets to the Thunder (8-11).
FSU was ahead 19-14 in the first set before Trine stormed back with five straight points to tie the game at 19-19. Both teams exchanged the lead before the Thunder rolled with the final five points of the match to win game one, 26-24.
Game two saw the Bobcats take a quick 5-1 lead and never relinquish the advantage to take the second set, 25-18, and even the match at 1-1.
The third set again saw Frostburg take a quick lead, this time 8-3. The Thunder then used a 9-2 rally to come back and steal a 12-9 advantage. Despite strong efforts from the black and red, Trine went on to win game three, 25-22.
Down two points in the fourth game, 21-19, FSU used a five-point rally to come within one of tying the match up, 24-21, but Trine held off FSU and scored the final five points to squeak out the win, 26-24.
Sophomore Naya Cheatem led the Bobcats with a game-high 16 kills and classmate Madelyn Torres (27 assists) and senior Aimee Petrides (seven kills) all added two service aces. Sophomore Lindsey Scepura added18 digs in the effort.
In match two of the day, Frostburg held Springfield (17-2) close in all three sets, but just couldn't persevere as it fell three games to none to the Pride.
In set one, the Bobcats used a 5-2 rally to come within one point, 15-14, before Springfield put the game away, 25-18.
Despite an early 6-2 Bobcat lead, the Pride chipped away and tied the game at 11-11 before stealing a 14-11 advantage. FSU then used a five-point rally and tied the game again at 19-19 but the Pride finished strong with the last six points to win game two, 25-19.
Game three was much of the same as the Bobcats took a 5-1 advantage early on, but Springfield used a mid-game six-point rally and a late five-point run to keep FSU in check and win the match with a 25-18 decision.
Cheatem added 20 kills and three blocks to lead FSU. Torres contributed 30 assists while Scepura had 14 digs.
Following the tournament, Cheatem was named to the All-Tournament Team for the Bobcats.
Frostburg returns to action on Wednesday, October 7 when it travels to Marymount (Va.) for a conference matchup at 6:00 pm.
