The women’s volleyball team displayed grit in their second straight win against the Robert Morris Colonials this past Saturday in a five-set match.
Set One
The Golden Grizzlies were determined, and each player fed off each other while the Colonials looked to redeem themselves.
Both teams exchanged points in a tightly contested match. As the set continued, there were moments of inconsistency by the Colonials that led to the Golden Grizzlies being in full control, credited to Tyler Linkhart, who had several kills that gave Oakland the 16-10 score.
Robert Morris fought back with kills from Hillarie Adams, cutting the match to a one-point deficit, 22-21. Despite their efforts, Oakland sealed the set 25-21.
Set Two
Robert Morris opened up and quickly established control, taking an early 2-0 lead with a kill by Natalie Stepanovich and a service ace by Ashleigh Wallin. Oakland responded with a few points, but both teams made attack errors, leading to a back-and-forth exchange.
Eventually, though, Robert Morris stretched their lead and did not let up. They pulled ahead to a 24-13 score. Oakland rallied in the latter part of the set, making a late push to narrow the score to 24-18, but the Colonials closed set two, 25-18.
Set Three
The Golden Grizzlies came out more aggressively and started with a 4-1 lead. From that point, they never looked back.
They continued to capitalize on Robert Morris’ mistakes. Oakland’s Christina Bohm concluded the set with kills that put the Golden Grizzlies at a 24-13 score. Thanks to a final service error from Robert Morris, Oakland took set three, giving Oakland the 2-1 match lead at 25-14.
Set Four
The intensity ramped up significantly. Both teams rallied and exchanged points. Oakland kept pace, including a service ace from Emily Wichmann that brought the score 7-6. However, Robert Morris then began to pick up their tempo. The Colonial offense continued to click as the game continued, and they took a commanding 25-15 lead that forced a decisive fifth set.
Set Five
In a thrilling fifth set, Oakland scored the first point off a kill from Linkhart, followed by a massive block by Libby Smith. It was getting close, but it was all Oakland that started to find success in many different ways.
Bohm and Gentry Brown stepped up big-time in the game’s closing moments, ultimately helping put the Colonials away, 16-14. The Golden Grizzlies clinched a victory highlighted by resiliency and teamwork in a hard-fought battle on Faculty and Staff Appreciation Night.
Linkhart racked up 14 kills, and her presence on the court energized the team and put the Colonials on high alert. Adding to this impact, Linkhart also delivered three aces.
Smith’s strategic play showed her ability to score and defend, with 11 kills and three crucial blocks. Brown matched her intensity with 11 kills as well.
Bohm found gaps in the Colonial defense and added ten kills to round out Oakland’s offense. Wichmann was a defensive standout with 20 digs, and Rachel Rossman delivered a remarkable season-high 49 assists.
What’s Next?
On Friday, Oct. 11 — the Golden Grizzlies will head to the Gates Sports Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana, to take on the Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+, and the first serve is slated for 7 p.m.