ROCHESTER, Mich. — The Oakland University volleyball program improved to 7-1 at home with a come-from-behind victory over Youngstown State in five sets (20-25, 25-12, 22-25, 25-15, 15-9) on Sunday afternoon inside the Athletics Center O'rena. 

The Golden Grizzly defense came to play with a season-high 16 blocks to go along with 85 digs. The trio of senior Kerra Cornist (8 blocks), graduate senior Jamie Walling (7 blocks), and senior Jessica Riedl (7 blocks) recorded season-best marks in blocks. Fifth-year senior Lindsay Wightman led the team in digs with 29, while AnnaBelle Tomei and Walling helped out with double-digit totals of 17 and 13 in the category. 

Oakland (14-9, 8-4 HL) also tallied 61 kills, which tied for its highest amount of the 2021 campaign. Redshirt freshman Patti Cesarini paced the attack with 16 kills on 37 swings, good for a .351 hitting percentage. Freshman Clarke Adams made a statement with a career-high 11 kills. 

The Penguins (4-19, 1-11) came into the conference contest on a seven-game skid but started hot with a 25-20 opening-set win. OU evened the match with a dominant 25-12 triumph in set two. The Golden Grizzlies notched eight blocks assists and held Youngstown State to a match-low -.050 striking percentage in the period. 

YSU answered back by taking the third set, 25-22. The period was knotted up at 19-all, but the Penguins took command with a 4-0 run, resulting in a deficit that OU could not overcome. 

Down 2-1 in sets, the Golden Grizzlies swung the momentum with consecutive set victories, 25-15, 15-19, to clinch a comeback win. Oakland hit .483 in the fourth period, highlighted by Adams and Cesarini with four kills apiece. In the fifth and final set, OU earned the first four points and never relinquished its lead en route to another home win. 

The Golden Grizzlies will conclude their three-match homestead on Friday, Oct. 29, against Cleveland State. First serve is set for 6 p.m., and the contest will air on ESPN+ or ESPN3.

Highlights


#GrizzVision with Rob Beam