SOUTH EUCLID, OHIO – Frostburg State volleyball split it's two matches in today's Notre Dame Tri-Match moving their record to 7-5 overall. FSU dropped the first match with Notre Dame (Ohio) 3-0 with set scored of 14-25, 16-25, and 15-25. They rebounded by defeating Salem University 3-0 with set scores of 25-21, 25-15, 25-10.

The Bobcats had a .038 hitting percentage in the match while collecting 25 kills, 32 digs, and three service aces. Senior Biamba Tshitenge led the Bobcats in kills with seven, with first-year Jackie Sterenberg collecting five kills for Frostburg State.

First-year Edwyna Lainez registered her sixth match with 20 or more assists, while also registering two kills and three digs. Senior Cori Smothers led the team in digs with nine to go along with two assists and two service aces.

The Falcons got out to a 4-2 lead in the first set before Frostburg collected six of the next eight points to force a Notre Dame timeout. The Falcons would respond out of the timeout with a 6-1 run to take a 12-9 lead and force the Bobcats to call for time. Notre Dame would win 13 of the final 18 points to take the set one win.

After a strong start to set two for Notre Dame, three consecutive points in the middle of the set pulled the Bobcats to within four points at 14-10. The Falcons would regroup down the stretch and take the set victory.

The third set began back-and-forth, with neither team holding a lead larger than two points through the first 14 points of the set. Notre Dame pulled away thanks to a 7-0 run extend their lead to 16-8. The Falcons continued their momentum down the stretch to take the victory.

The second half of the double header leaned more favorably for FSU. The Bobcats as a team hit .275 with 41 kills and 13 services aces. Sterenburg led the charge with 10 kills while sophomore Delanie Day recorded four service aces. First-year Jordan Patrick also slammed four aces. Smothers ended game two with 14 digs.

The match against Salem University started red hot for Frostburg as they jumped to a 6-0 lead highlighted by two straight points from Lainez. Frostburg held a steady lead to finish out the first set with a 25-21 win behind four kills by Sterenburg and three more kills for sophomore Raven Pratt. Smothers finished the first stanza with seven digs recorded.

The second set started much like the first with a Bobcat 5-0 run to set the table backed by two service aces by Lainez. The Tigers clawed their way back into the set as they trailed by two early in the second set. 

The Bobcats held a consistent lead throughout the set never leading by less than two. FSU began to pull away with a 6-1 run behind a fury of kills by Tshitenge, first-year Tatyanna Kittendorf and aces by Day. A 10-3 run ended the set at a 25-15 advantage for the Bobcats.

FSU continued their stellar play into the third set as they secured an 8-2 run in the early portion of the set. The run was highlighted by Patrick's three-straight service aces, giving Frostburg a 9-3 advantage.  When the score was 16-7 FSU, the Bobcats ignited a 5-0 run with kills by Patrick, Sterenburg and Pratt. A final kill by Sterenburg ended the set by a score of 25-10.

The Bobcats return to action on Sunday when they take on Lake Erie on the road. Match time is set for 11:00 a.m.