Youngstown State freshman Paula Gürsching scored double-digit kills in each of the first two games of their career when the Penguins fell twice in straight sets at the YSU / DoubleTree-Youngstown Volleyball Invitational on Friday.
The Penguins left their opener against Duquesne, 25-21, 25-17, 25:18 in the first of four games on Friday at the Beeghly Center, and YSU lost 25-23, 25-14, 25-23 in the final of the day. In the other two games, Akron and Duquesne each defeated Saint Francis U.
Gürsching averaged 3.83 kills per set, 10 against Duquesne and 13 against Akron. Josi Borum and Amanda lebioda each had nine kills against Akron and Borum just missed a double-double against the Zips with 11 dig. Aimee Beaupre was the top blocker for the Penguins with three against the Dukes and two more against Akron and Libero Reilly Seagroves had 21 excavations.
Youngstown State averaged 11.83 kills per set and had only four fewer kills than their opponents in the two matches, but the Penguins were injured by offensive errors. YSU had 50 attack errors, of which only 14 came on blocks, while its opponents had 22 errors.
The Penguins will try to end the tournament in a win as they host SFU on Saturday at 3pm. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN +.
