The Wright State volleyball team defeated Cleveland State 3-1 (29-27, 18-25, 25-19, 25-23) in their final match of the weekend.

First Set Highlights

Wright State took an early lead at 4-1 after siding out and posting three consecutive attacks at the net.  The Vikes quickly tied the game soon after at 7-7 and pulled ahead to 10-7 before Wright State called its first timeout.  Coming out of the timeout, Wright State bounced back posting five kills during a 6-0 run which put them in the lead at 13-10.  Both teams traded points back-and-forth throughout the middle of the set and a final push by the Vikes allowed them to tie the game again at 18-18.  A couple of runs by the Raiders put them in the lead and within game point at 24-21, but Cleveland State went on 4-0 run putting them within game point at 25-24.  The Raiders were able to side out after a kill from senior middle hitter Megan Hopkins to tie the game at 25-25.  The teams tied the game two more times at 26-26 and 27-27 before the Raiders pulled ahead and win the game at 29-27.  Hopkins and freshman outside hitter Abby Barcus led the Raiders with six kills each.  Hopkins surpassed the 1,000 career kills milestone in the first set after going into the match needing only four kills to hit the special milestone.

Second Set Highlights

Wright State took another early lead at 3-0 after three consecutive kills by seniors Katie Klusman and Megan Hopkins.  The teams traded a few points back-and-forth before Cleveland State took the lead at 10-5 after going on a 7-0 run.  Freshman Celia Powers was able to side out for Wright State with a kill and shift the momentum back in Wright State's favor, and the Raiders soon after went on a 4-0 run to close in on Cleveland State at 11-10.  The teams battled in the middle of the set but the Raiders got within three points at 18-15 before the Vikes went on a 5-0 run, extending their lead to 23-15.  Wright State put down a couple of kills, but Cleveland State was able to win the set 25-18, tying the match at 1-1.  Hopkins led the Raiders with six kills of Wright State's eleven kills.

Third Set Highlights

The Vikes took the early lead at 5-3, but a service error jump started a 5-0 run from the Raiders and allowed them to take the lead at 8-5.  Wright State held their lead as they pushed to 13-9, but three consecutive kills from the Vikes allowed Cleveland State to pull within one point of the Raiders at 13-12.  Wright State took a timeout hoping to slow down the Vikes, but coming out of the timeout the Vikes immediately tied the game at 13-13 after an attack error by Wright State.  Cleveland State was not able to capitalize on the attack error by Wright State, and ultimately jump started another run by the Raiders after recording a service error, allowing the Raiders to take the lead again at 18-13. Wright State maintained their lead and stayed consistent at the net posting five solid kills to win the match at 25-19.  Freshman Teddie Sauer led the Raiders with four kills of Wright State's 13 total kills.

Fourth Set Highlights

Both teams kept the score very close throughout the beginning of the set tying the game seven times before Wright State pulled ahead after a 4-0 run put them up 12-9.  The teams continued to trade points, but a couple of 2-0 runs allowed the Vikes to tie the game once again at 15-15.  Wright State regained their lead immediately at 16-15 after a kill from Barcus, but Cleveland State once again tied the game at 16-16 after a service error from the Raiders.  The teams continued to battle for a permanent lead but ended up tying the game five more times at 17-17, 18-18, 19-19, 20-20, and 21-21 before a 3-0 run by Wright State allowed the Raiders to secure the lead at 24-21, putting them within one point of winning the match.  A kill by Cleveland State and an attack error by the Raiders allowed the Vikes to go on a 2-0 run and pull within one point at 24-23, but the Raiders held the Vikes off and won the match with a kill from Barcus.  Abby Barcus led the Raiders in the set with eight kills and also led the Raiders overall in the match with 18 kills.  Seniors Katie Klusman and Megan Hopkins were close behind Barcus, each posting 15 kills in match.  Senior libero Jessie Thornton led the Raiders defensively with 22 digs in the four set match.

What Coach Clements is Saying 

"I am really proud of this team.  They competed for every point.  Our defense came back today and was stellar."

Next Up

The Raiders return home next weekend to continue conference play against Green Bay on Friday, Oct. 6th at 6 p.m. and against UIC on Saturday, Oct. 7th at 4 p.m.