The Pitt-Bradford volleyball team split a pair of matches Saturday at the Alfred Tournament, dropping a 3-0 decision to Alfred State before rallying to defeat the host Saxons 3-2 in the night cap.
Alfred State defeated the Panthers by scores of 29-27, 25-19, 25-22. The Saxons limited the Panthers to a .263 hitting and totaled 16.5 team blocks. Sydney Shepherd had a team-high nine kills and Christina Rauh added eight. Alexis Dhayer converted three aces, and Rauh manufactured 24 assists. Defensively, Brianna Majot logged 12 digs, and Rose Thacker recorded three blocks, including two solo.
Pitt-Bradford fell behind Alfred but rallied to prevail 25-21, 24-26, 22-25, 25-23, 15-6. It was the second meeting of the season between the two schools. The Panthers also won the first matchup 3-0 on Sept. 9.
Three different Panthers registered double-digit kills led by Kirst Platz' match-high 19. Dhayer finished with 12 kills and Erin Fagan totaled 10. Rauh tallied 43 assists, and Platz and Dhayer combined for six of the team's eight aces. Majot led the defensive effort with 16 digs, Rauh collected 12, Meagan Welsh had 11 and Shepherd added 10. Platz recorded six blocks, Rauh had four and Dhayer chipped in with three.
Pitt-Bradford moves to 19-5 on the season and hosts Hilbert Tuesday at 7 p.m.