SALEM, W. Va. – The Frostburg State Volleyball team took a close away match against Salem by a final score of 3-2 on Tuesday evening.

Frostburg quickly found themselves with the lead to start the first set, earning their first two points off Salem errors. Sophomore Amanda Knieper tallied the first offensive point for the Bobcats, knocking down a kill off an assist from redshirt senior Hayley Delor. Freshman Maddie Lewis also found herself with a kill, also off an assist from Delor, as FSU jumped ahead 4-3. The Tigers battled back, as both teams traded leads until Salem took their first lead of the set at 11-10, before a kill from Knieper and a service ace from junior Fiona Gonzalez Medina allowed Frostburg to regain the lead. Finding themselves down 14-12, the Bobcats went on a three point scoring run, started by a kill from Lewis, to regain the lead once more at 15-14. After multiple ties and multiple lead exchanges, another kill from Knieper tied the game at 23 apiece, before FSU went on a three point scoring run, once again led by a kill from Knieper, taking the hard fought 26-24 victory in set one.

The Tigers earned the first point of set two, before junior Tauja Durham smacked down a kill for the first Bobcat point. FSU capitalized on both sides of the ball, going on a four point scoring run to take a 9-6 lead. Salem started to fight back, taking a two point lead, before two attacking errors allowed Frostburg to tie things up at 12. The Bobcats proceeded to struggle on both offense and defense, finding themselves down 16-12, and only earning their next two points off attack errors from the Tigers. Freshman Maya Johnson and junior AJ Thompson both were credited with kills, but FSU was unable to go on a run, dropping the second set 25-18.

FSU came out hot in set three, getting their offense going right off the bat, jumping out in front 5-0 with senior Beverly Braun and Thompson each being credited with a kill. Salem was able to get one point, before the Bobcats went on another scoring run with Braun smacking down two more kills. Ahead 9-3, Braun was set up for another kill and also earned a service ace, adding two more points to Frostburg's lead. Keeping the momentum going on offense, the Bobcats tacked on eight straight points off kills from senior McKaily Thomson-Moran, Knieper, Lewis, Thompson, and sophomore Faith Stevenson. Now ahead 19-4 and everything going right for them on offense, FSU closed out set three with two more scoring runs and two more kills from both Thompson and Braun for a dominant 25-9 win.

Salem redeemed themselves in set four, getting the first point on the board. Frostburg wasted no time leaving where they left off, as Delor knocked down a kill, leading FSU to a 3-1 lead early on. Both teams battled for points, trading them back and forth as the set sat at 8-8 before the Tigers jumped ahead by two. A kill from Braun started a four point run for the Bobcats, allowing FSU to jump in front 15-13. The Tigers found ways on offense to keep battling back for a 22-18 lead. Knieper swatted down two kills bringing Frostburg within two, but FSU was unable to keep things going, dropping the fourth set 25-21.

With the game on the line, Frostburg shot ahead in the final frame, getting to a 4-0 advantage to start set five. Thompson was credited with back-to-back service aces as Thomson-Moran and Braun were each given a kill. The Bobcats took advantage of multiple attack errors by the Tigers, allowing them to keep the lead. Three solid offensive points off kills from Lewis and Knieper, and a service ace from senior Jenna Gossard sealed the deal for FSU, taking the 15-7 victory in set five and for a 3-2 win overall.

Braun led the way in kills with a game-high 14, while Knieper was right behind her with 12. Also on offense, Delor dished out a game-high 33 assists, as Gonzalez Medina racked up a total of 22 digs on defense.

With the win, FSU moves to 13-12 on the season, while Salem drops to 3-17. The Bobcats return home to host Glenville State on Friday, October 27 at 7 PM. For more information and updates, please visit frostburgsports.com.