By Marissa Masano / The Jambar
The Youngstown State University women’s volleyball team swept Oakland University and celebrated its seniors Nov. 1-2 inside Beeghly Center.
In Match One, the Penguins defeated the Golden Grizzlies in five sets. Oakland won the first two sets, 25-23 and 25-18, respectively.
Before the third set, fifth-year senior Nyia Setla said the team discussed how they needed to play at a high level.
“We knew that we weren’t playing to our fullest potential. This was it, the time was now. It’s the third set, we just have to play hard,” Setla said.
The third set saw five ties, as the Penguins took the lead after a four-point rally to make the score 18-16. Youngstown State closed out the set, scoring three consecutive points to win 25-21.
The Penguins controlled the fourth set, scoring seven consecutive points. Fifth-year Isabel Schaefbauer scored four of those points.
The fifth set was contested with 12 ties, but the final score was 15-13 in favor of Youngstown State. Junior Abbie Householder scored the final two points to solidify the first five-set win, after trailing 2-0.
Three Penguins recorded double-doubles, as Householder had a match-high 21 kills and 13 digs, while Schaefbauer recorded 44 assists and 19 digs.
Freshman Kelsey Cooper recorded four new career highs in service aces, total blocks, assists and points.
The team celebrated its senior day Nov. 2, as it beat the Golden Grizzlies in three straight sets. The sweep marked the Penguins first over Oakland since Nov. 13, 1999.
Setla credited the team for sticking to its game plan.
“We wanted to make sure were going to adjust to anything they were going to change, but to keep going with our initial gameplan. We knew as long as we stuck to our jobs and read the scouting report and honestly leaned into each other, that’s what it came down to,” Setla said.
In the first set, sophomore Maria Insana scored the final three points, with one ace to secure the first set 25-20.
The second set was less contested as Youngstown State defeated Oakland 25-19.
Oakland started the third set scoring four consecutive points, but the Penguins responded with their rally led by a kill from junior Bianca Giglio.
Youngstown began to lead the set 6-5 and did not look back. They went on to outscore the Golden Grizzlies 14-5 and took the set 25-15.
After the game, Setla, who transferred to YSU from West Liberty University, opened up about her emotions surrounding senior day.
“I lost my dad three years ago, so having him not be there physically today was an emotional moment for me. I knew I needed to do my job for the girls around me. I can now be with them and feel all these emotions now. This was a beautiful game,” Setla said.
The Penguins set a new program high in a Horizon League matchup for hitting percentage at 36.2%.
Householder posted her third-consecutive double-double with 14 kills and 10 digs. Schaefbauer also had a double-double, as she posted 11 digs and 39 assists.
For her efforts in the matches, Householder was named the Under Armour Horizon League Volleyball Player of the Week for the first time in her career.
Up next, the Penguins travel to Cleveland State University on Nov 8-9. Live stats for both games will be available on ysusports.com.
