By Teziah Howard / The Jambar
The Youngstown State University women’s volleyball team is back inside the brand new Beeghly Center as it debuted with a win.
The Penguins faced off against the Kent State University Golden Flashes, where they were victorious 3-0.
The ’Guins fell to Bucknell University and the University of Akron before suiting up for the 6 p.m. matchup at home against Kent State.
The season-opening win over Kent State marked the first sweep against the Golden Flashes in over 40 years. YSU won the first set 25-20, won the second set 25-12 and won the third 25-13.
The win for YSU featured the Penguins hitting a season-best .284. The ’Guins only spent a few days practicing in the revamped arena.
Head Coach Riley Jarrett also recorded her first career win inside the Beeghly Center. Jarrett previously coached at the Division II level with the West Liberty University Hilltoppers.
Junior middle blocker Julia Sell praised Jarrett. Sell said the team knew exactly what they were getting from Jarrett after she made a good first impression.
“I think [Jarrett] did a really good job of showing us what she was made of,” Sell said. “She brings so much energy and so much new life to the team so I think she will continue to be an asset to the team and to the program.”
Sell made a defensive statement in the home opener against Kent State, posting a team-high three blocks. Sell said the energy of her teammates added momentum to her play.
“After getting a block, when I turn my back to my girls, there’s always someone hyping me up and in my face screaming at me in a good way,” Sell said. “It’s always bringing positive energy and once I get one it leads me to getting more.”
The Penguins led the Golden Flashes in kills through all three sets. The first set featured 15 Penguin kills to 10 Golden Flashes kills. In set two, YSU only had nine kills, but Kent State mustered seven. In the third set, the Penguins rallied to double the amount of kills the Golden Flashes had.
Junior outside hitter Abbie Householder led the team in kills with 13. Householder also led the team in kills as a sophomore, with 291, and was named to the Academic All-District volleyball team.
Senior right-side hitter Kiyah Franklin adds to the triple threat. Sell, Householder and Franklin ranked top three in kills for YSU. Franklin posted seven kills in the matchup, she said playing alongside Householder and Sell brings confidence to the game.
“When [Householder], [Sell] and I are all at the net together, I just feel this burst of energy and feel super confident in what we’re about to do,” Franklin said. “[Householder] has been a key player for us since she was a freshman and I can really trust [Sell] to put the ball down.”
Youngstown State returned home Sept. 24 to face Mercyhurst University and swept the Lakers over three sets. The win marked the first time since 2000 that the Penguins have accomplished back-to-back home sweeps.
The ’Guins continue their home streak against the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay at 6 p.m. Sept. 27 and 2 p.m. Sept. 28.
Both matches will be available to stream live on ESPN+.
