Box Score

YSU Box Score | #GrizzVision with Rob Beam | Video Highlights

ROCHESTER, Mich. -​ In a battle between two first-place teams, it was Oakland's Cassie Pelloni who led the way with a match-high and season-high 22 kills as the Golden Grizzlies prevailed after a two-set deficit to defeat Youngstown State Saturday afternoon, 19-25, 25-27, 25-20, 25-14, 18-16.

Oakland remained tied for first place in the Horizon League race with the win, improving to 15-9, 7-2 HL. Youngstown State suffered its first loss in six outings, dropping to 15-9, 6-3 HL.

"I thought our team displayed a lot of composure and a great competitive fight coming out of the locker room between sets two and three," Oakland head coach Rob Beam said. "Our team definitely loves a comeback. They are very competitive, and I thought they did a tremendous job down the stretch facing off match points."

Pelloni was one of four Oakland players in double figures in kills. Melissa Deatsch had a double-double with 16 kills and 13 digs, while Sammy Condon and Jessica Dood added 10 kills apiece.

Ciara Schultz, who capped the match with a service ace for the final point, was one off her career-high with 52 assists. As a team, Oakland rang up 10 service aces, including three to start the match by Deatsch.

Blocks also bolstered the Golden Grizzlies in their rally, as the team had nine after the second set, including five blocks in the fourth set. Amanda Baker had seven blocks with Dood adding six and Sammy Condon notching five.

After dropping the opening two sets, Oakland made adjustments out of the intermission and found a groove, hitting .290 over the final three sets. Youngstown State tried to recover in the fifth, taking a 6-2 lead early, but the Golden Grizzlies chipped away to tie the match at 13. From there, Youngstown State had two match points, but Oakland held them off and made good on their second match point of the night.

Oakland starts a three-match road swing Friday, Oct. 31 when the Golden Grizzlies travel to Wright State for a 7 p.m. contest.

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