Box Score

CSU Box Score

CLEVELAND, Ohio -​ Melissa Deatsch and Cassie Pelloni each had 15 kills as the Oakland volleyball team (10-6, 2-0 HL) not only came back from a two-set deficit but fought off three match-point serves Saturday afternoon to defeat Cleveland State, 25-20, 21-25, 10-25, 25-21, 19-17.

"That was an incredible match in which to compete," Oakland head coach Rob Beam said. "Cleveland State played extremely well, and we showed a lot of courage and belief in responding after the third set. I am very proud of our players for not only getting the win, but for doing it together."

A team effort indeed. Sammy Condon added 10 kills while Jessica Dood notched nine to pace the attack. Defensively, four players reached double figures in digs, led by Taylor Humm's 23. Deatsch (19), Ciara Schultz (12) and Alli Gutschow (10) also aided in the defense. Schultz had a match-best 47 assists.

Tied 10-10 in the fifth set, Cleveland State (8-7, 1-1 HL) took a two-point lead after a service ace and an Oakland miscue. The Golden Grizzlies knotted the set back up at 13-13, only to falter with a serving error. Facing the first of what would be three match point opportunities by Cleveland State, Oakland got back-to-back kills by Sammy Condon to force extra points.

Cleveland State served for the match at 16-15 and again at 17-16. But with a kill by Pelloni, an attack error by the Vikings, and an emphatic block by Pelloni and Amanda Baker, Oakland scored the final three points to earn the hard-fought Horizon League road victory.

Oakland captured the first set thanks to a .303 hitting percentage, but the Golden Grizzlies struggled in the next two sets. Oakland then rallied late in the fourth set with a .237 hitting percentage and forced the deciding set.

The Golden Grizzlies return home Tuesday, Oct. 30 for its final non-conference contest of the season against Eastern Michigan. First serve is slated for 7 p.m., with the team hosting a "Taco Tuesday" promotion for fans.

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