CALIFORNIA, Pa.. - The Bloomsburg volleyball team fell to host California (Pa)., 3-0, to open action at the Vulcan Invitational Friday afternoon.
Marlee Johnson (Newville, Pa./Big Spring) led the Huskies on the day with a season-best 14-kill performance against the Vulcans.
Elise Adelman (Pataskala, Ohio/Watkins Memorial) was at the center of the attacking efforts, totaling 28 assists while recording five aces.
How It Happened:
Johnson started the day for the Huskies, recording the first two kills of the game. The Vulcans responded with a 5-0 run to stop Bloomsburg's early momentum. California's lead grew as much as six at 7-13 to force an early timeout.
Katie Kuehl (Aston, Pa./Archmere Academy (Del.)) settled into the game early to supply attacking options for the Huskies, notching three consecutive kills to keep the offense moving forward.
Sophie Wales (Port Matilda, Pa./State College) was the next player to add to Bloomsburg's total, tallying her first kill of the afternoon while adding an ace from the service line.
The Huskies' service success continued as Adelman set up Johnson for a pair of kills before stepping to the line and recording two aces herself to cut the deficit to two at 14-16.
After a timeout from the Vulcans, the home side settled in and closed out the first set with a 9-1 run to take a 1-0 advantage in the match.
Bloomsburg looked to get off to a stronger start in the second set and did so by capitalizing on mistakes from California and spreading the ball around. Johnson, Kuehl and
Lydia Worthing (Tyrone, Pa./Bellwood Antis) notched kills in early goings as Adelman recorded another ace to give the team an early 6-2 edge.
The two sides traded points into the middle portion of the second frame with five different ties before settling at 14-14. The Vulcans took a 16-14 on the back of a 3-0 run that went away with a 4-0 stretch from Bloomsburg following a timeout for an 18-16 advantage.
The series of runs continued as California ripped off a 5-0 run to grab a three-point lead. The Huskies attempted to fight back but were held off by the Vulcans, facing a 2-0 deficit. The Huskies were led in the second set by Kuehl and
Allison Saalfrank (Perkasie, Pa./Pennridge), with both outside hitters recording four kills.
In the third set, Bloomsburg again found itself out in front, 2-0, with help from Saalfrank from the line. California answered to take a 4-2 lead before the Huskies snatched it back behind two kills from Johnson leading to a 9-6 advantage behind another strong service run from Adelman.
The Vulcans found their footing following a timeout to grab as much as a four-point edge. The Huskies vigilantly chased, bringing the game within one at 17-18. California used the home court to its advantage in the final stretch, closing the match on a 7-1 run for the win.
Numbers of Note:
3 - With her 14 kills, Johnson recorded double-digit kills in three consecutive contests for the first time in her Bloomsburg career.
5 - Adelman tallied five aces in a match for the second time this season, reaching the mark for the fifth time in her Husky tenure.
10 - With 10 digs in the match, Saalfrank remains the only player for the Huskies to record double-digit digs, doing so for the fourth time in five matches.
On The Horizon:
The Huskies continue action at the Vulcan Invitational on Saturday, September 14, beginning at 10:00 a.m. with a match against Frostburg State before wrapping up the weekend at 12:30 p.m. against Point Park.
