(GREEN BAY ATHLETICS) GREEN BAY – On Saturday afternoon, the Green Bay volleyball team picked up its second win in a row in four sets (25-16, 15-25, 25-11, 35-33) over visiting Youngstown State at the Kress Events Center. The Phoenix used strong offensive execution and gritty defense — particularly in the marathon fourth set — to secure their second Horizon League victory of the young season.
For Green Bay, Diane Pichelman led the offense with another career-high of 22 kills, hitting an efficient .391. Gillian Koning added a career-high 16 kills, while Kayla Birmingham also finished with a career-high in both kills (12) and digs (21). Pichelman also recorded 3 blocks. Emma Johnson ran a balanced offense, finishing with 48 assists and 13 digs.
For Youngstown State, Presley Stokes led all Penguins with 18 kills, followed by Abbie Householder with 17. Kameron Blizniak recorded 35 assists, while Maria Insana led with 14 digs. Taya Nordmann was a force at the net with 6 blocks.
HOW IT HAPPENED
SET 1 | Green Bay stormed out to a strong start, hitting .400 in the opening frame. The Phoenix controlled the tempo early and never trailed, taking the set 25-16 behind efficient attacking.
SET 2 | Youngstown State responded forcefully, hitting .359 in the second set. The Penguins surged ahead mid-set and pulled away for a 25-15 win, evening the match at 1-1.
SET 3 | Green Bay regrouped and dominated the third set, hitting .548, their best of the match. Behind strong swings from Koning and Pichelman, the Phoenix cruised to a 25-11 win.
SET 4 | The final set was an instant classic. Both teams traded points well past the 25-point mark. Green Bay finally edged YSU 35-33 after several set points on both sides, sealing the match with clutch kills and blocks.
GAME NOTES
- Green Bay: 61 kills | .313 hitting percentage
- Youngstown State: 59 kills | .186 hitting percentage
- Aces: GB 5 | YSU 6
- Blocks: GB 6 | YSU 2
- Assists: Johnson (GB) – 48 | Blizniak (YSU) – 35
- Digs: GB 81 | YSU 69
- Green Bay’s top set: Set 3 – .484 hitting, 17 kills
UP NEXT
The Phoenix will travel to face their in-state rival, Milwaukee, on Tuesday, Sept. 30, at 6 p.m. Then, Green Bay will be traveling to Fort Wayne, Indiana, to face Purdue Fort Wayne on Oct. 3-4 in the second weekend of Horizon League play.
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