CANTON, Ohio – The Frostburg State Volleyball team put up a fight in their first day of the Hall of Fame City Challenge, taking both of their matches to five sets, defeating Seton Hill 3-2, but falling in the last few points to Mercyhurst, also with a final of 3-2.

Frostburg came out hot in their opening match against Seton Hill, scoring the first three points off a kill from senior Beverly Braun and two kills from freshman Maddie Lewis. The Griffins started to show some life, putting some points on the board, but FSU kept their momentum going, wracking up the points and taking advantage of multiple errors by SHU. Off another kill from Braun, and another assist from redshirt senior Hayley Delor, the Bobcats jumped out to a 12-9 lead. Seton Hill scored the next three points to quickly tie the game at 12. Both teams exchanged one point leads, until Frostburg kept their momentum on both sides of the ball, taking a 20-17 lead, and fighting to keep the lead, taking the first set 26-24.

SHU battled back after set one, as FSU dropped sets two and three by scores of 25-19 and 25-17. The Bobcats showed some life to start set four, jumping out to a 4-0 lead off two errors by the Griffins and two kills from Lewis and Braun, along with two assists from Delor. Seton Hill quickly responded themselves, scoring the next five points to take a 5-4 lead. Braun quickly knocked one down to tie the game at five, while freshman Emma Larkins gave the Bobcats back the lead with a kill of her own. Both teams traded points once more, until Frostburg took advantage of three straight errors by SHU. Junior AJ Thompson got in on the scoring action, earning herself a kill, followed by another kill from Larkins, allowing the Bobcats to lead 13-10. The Griffins quickly found themselves with a spark on offense, finding their way to a 19-16 lead. Frostburg wasn't done yet, racking up five straight points, with Larkins leading the way on three more kills, allowing the Bobcats to force a fifth set with a 28-26 win.

With one more set to go, both teams took turns tacking on their points. A kill from junior Fiona Gonzalez Medina put FSU on the board, then a service ace from Braun put the Bobcats on top 3-2. A kill from Lewis and an attack error by the Griffins allowed Frostburg to maintain the lead. Sophomore Gabriella Jones got in on the scoring action, smacking down a huge kill for Frostburg, bringing the score to 11-11. Down 14-13, Larkins, Thompson, and Braun all recorded a kill, allowing FSU to take the match and the final set with a score of 16-14.

The Bobcats didn't start well out of the blocks in their second game of the day, falling in their first set against Mercyhurst 25-11. Frostburg started to find their rhythm in set two, jumping out to a 5-2 lead off kills from Braun, Larkins, and Lewis. The Lakers quickly tied things up at five, before FSU went on a scoring run, knocking down eight straight points for a 13-5 lead. Braun found herself with a trio of kills, while senior Katie Keech was credited with two service aces. Mercyhurst found ways to put points on the board, but everything continued to go right for the Bobcats, as
they scored three more straight points, followed by another three point scoring run for a 20-9 lead. An attack error by the Lakers set Frostburg up for another scoring run, as FSU ended the game scoring four more straight points for a 25-11 victory in set two.

FSU continued to capitalize off of Mercyhurst errors, finding their way to a 7-3 lead to start set three. Sophomore Amanda Knieper was credited with a kill, followed by a kill from Delor, to bring the Bobcats lead to 13-11. Off another attack error by the Lakers, Delor was able to earn herelf a service ace as well, extending Frostburg's lead to four. Lewis and Knieper each earned themselves another kill keeping FSU's lead, before two kills by Braun would seal the deal, allowing the Bobcats to take set three 25-21.

Mercyhurst took control in set four, causing Frostburg to drop 25-17, forcing another five set game for the Bobcats. With it all on the line, FSU jumped out to a 4-2 lead, earning all their points off Laker errors. Mercyhurst quickly fought back, taking a 5-4 lead, before Knieper knocked down a kill to tie things up once again. The Bobcats found themselves down two, before a service ace from Delor brought them back within one. The Lakers quickly jumped out to a 13-10 lead, with kills from senior McKaily Thomson-Moran and Knieper bringing FSU back within one. In the end, the Bobcats were unable to gain the lead back, dropping the match and the fifth and final set by a score of 15-13.

With the split on day one, Frostburg goes to 3-3 on the season. The Bobcats will face Slippery Rock and Roberts Wesleyan both tomorrow in day two of the tournament, with games set for 11:15 AM and 3:35 PM. For more information and updates, please visit frostburgsports.com.