EDINBORO, Pa. – The Edinboro volleyball team snapped California(Pa.)'s five-match winning streak as they downed the Vulcans 25-19, 25-21, 15-25, 25-19 on Saturday afternoon. The win improves the Fighting Scot record to 13-4 overall and 3-3 in the PSAC.
Cal came into the match undefeated in conference play with a win over Slippery Rock on Friday night. However, it was Missy Soboleski's team that put an end to it. Edinboro is now 39-30 against Cal in team history and four of the last five meetings.
The Vulcans jumped out to a 7-4 lead in the first set, however two kills from Challen Litwiler and another from Cierah Jackson would tie the score up at 9-9. The two team went back and forth all the way to 14-14. Edinboro forced a Vulcan timeout with the Fighting Scots leading 18-15. Two more kills from Litwiler and one from Jackson put Edinboro up 24-15. A Cal attack error gave Edinboro the first set.
The Fighting Scots came storming back in kills in the opening set. The Vulcans had an early 6-1 advantage but the Edinboro defense only allowed two more as the Fighting Scots had the 16-8 advantage after one set.
A small lead for Cal, 8-5, disappeared in the second set after Edinboro went on a 13-5 run to go up 18-13. The Vulcans tried to climb back in the set but a timely timeout by Edinboro allowed a kill by Jackson and a block by the freshmen and Paige Morris. Edinboro took a 2-0 lead in the match.
The Vulcans used a late 10-point run to distance themselves from Edinboro late in the third set to bring the match back to a one set lead for the Fighting Scots.
Only one service rotation for Edinboro was needed in the fourth set as Edinboro forced two quick timeouts with Edinboro leading 14-11. Two kills by Morris helped Edinboro pull away late and two Vulcan errors would give Edinboro the match, 3-1.
Edinboro was led on the offensive side of the net by Litwiler and Jackson. Litwiler had her 13th double-double of the season with her team-leading 14 kills and 15 digs. Jackson tallied 13 kills and four block assists. Senior Sydney Trathen backed up her 52 assist performance last night against Seton Hill with a 44 assist showing against Cal. Junior Hannah Cantrill had a balanced effort on the afternoon with a seven kills and six digs.
For the match Edinboro outpaced Cal in several categories. The Fighting Scots led in kills (54-44), assists (49-40) and digs (64-60).
Edinboro has a quick turnaround as they host Slippery Rock on Tuesday, October 10th. Match is slated to start at 7:00 p.m.
