By Madeline Hippeard
After defeating Horizon League opponent Oakland University on Sept. 22, 3-1, fifth-year senior Josi Borum became the only active Division I collegiate volleyball player to reach 1,000 career kills, digs and assists.
The Penguins won the first set of the match, 25-20. Borum scored the final point of the set with her third kill of the day.
The lady ‘Guins then opened the second set with a 12-6 lead, putting them on track to win the set, 25-20.
Despite their success in the first two sets, the Penguins trailed in the third, resulting in a 19-25 loss.
The ‘Guins scored the first seven points in the fourth set, which set the pace for the rest of the match.
Later on, Borum scored her 1,000th career kill, giving her team a 22-17 lead. The Penguins won the set, 25-21.
The next day, the lady ‘Guins travelled to take on Cleveland State University, where they lost three of four sets. They lost the first set, 23-25.
Sophomore Abbie Householder had a career-high of 17 kills in the match against Cleveland State, six of which came in the second set.
Householder said she is proud of how the team keeps its spirits high and works together while down during the game.
“We are good at coming together and getting out of it together and looking at each other and not putting our heads down. That’s something to be proud of,” Householder said.
Householder’s kills, along with a serving error on match point from the Vikings, helped lead the Penguins to a 25-23 victory in the second set.
After seven attack errors and four serving errors, the lady ‘Guins lost the third set, 20-25.
The Penguins were unable to fight back against a 7-1 burst by the Vikings in the fourth set, and lost, 18-25.
Head women’s volleyball coach Aline Scott said the Penguins are struggling with a lack of depth on the court because of injuries.
“When we play three times in one week, that depth would have been really critical for us to maintain our level of play throughout,” Scott said.
Despite losing the first set of the match 16-25, the lady ‘Guins won the second, 26-24.
The final two points of the set were scored by Borum and Householder.
The lady ‘Guins also lost 0-3 against Wright State University on Sept. 26 at home.
The Penguins return to action at 6 p.m., Sept. 29, at the Beeghly Center to take on the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.
To find more information and to watch the match, visit YSUsports.com and ESPN+.