FROSTBURG, Md. – The Frostburg State volleyball team dropped their Tuesday home game to Point Park in a 3-1 loss.
 
Frostburg returned home for the first time since hosting the Bobcat Invitational in early September, looking to respond to their opening MEC loss in front of a large home crowd. 

The Pioneers got off to a strong start in set one, running out to a 7-2 lead. After a timeout from head coach Peter Letourneau, the Bobcats settled back into the set, eventually tying the set up at 12-12 after kills from junior Grace Yocham, sophomore Devin Brunk, and freshman Adele Evans, along with an ace from sophomore Emery Kuebler. Point Park then capitalized on service and attacking FSU errors to recapture the lead at 19-15. Sophomore Dani Kunkle picked up a nice kill followed by a service ace to get the Bobcats within four at 21-17. FSU fended off two set points having fallen behind 24-21 before the Pioneers took the set 25-23.

Sophomore Devin Brunk started the second set off with a strong kill before another quick run from PPU put them ahead 8-2. After taking another early timeout, FSU responded by scoring three straight points on junior Paige Mock's ace and a Kunkle kill, while a pair of Point Park errors brought things to within 9-7. After exchanging small runs, the Pioneers put together six straight to go up 23-14, eventually easing to a 25-17 set victory.

Down two sets the Bobcats need a big response, but still found themselves behind early at 7-3. Yocham was able to get a nice cross court kill, as Bobcat Arena came to life on a block from Kunkle and Evans to get FSU some momentum. Junior Maya Johnson and Brunk had a pair of kills, while freshman Kylie Appleton served up an ace to go up 13-9 From that point, Frostburg took full control of the set, as Brunk and Mock found the floor while Kuebler went for another strong serve to lead 18-10. The Bobcats continued playing well, hitting .500 for the set as two straight Pioneer errors kept FSU in the match at 25-15.

Set number four started with a reception from Point Park immediately rejected by Mock. After a back and forth exchange, the score stood at 9-8 Pioneers as they looked to finish out the match. Redshirt senior Phoebe Lingold came up with a pancake save to give FSU a chance to tie things up, as Mock and Brunk added kills to lead 13-11. Both teams felt the importance of winning the set, fighting for every point up to a narrow 17-16 PPU advantage. Evans helped spark the Bobcats back to life with a pair of kills, as three erros were followed by Lingold finding Mock on a quick middle set to put FSU up 22-19. Point Park ran off five points to earn a pair of match points at 24-22. FSU fought off one before the final block attempt fell outside the line, giving the Pioneers the final set 25-23.

Brunk led in kills with nine, while Mock had a team-high four blocks. Kuebler and Lingold combined for 29 assists and 20 digs in their efforts. 

With the loss Frostburg, moves to 4-8 on the year while Point Park improves to 3-9. FSU next will travel to play Salem (WV) on Friday, October 3 for a 7 PM start. For more information, visit frostburgsports.com