FORT WAYNE, Ind. - The Golden Grizzlies volleyball team battled once again against the Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons but ultimately fell in five sets this afternoon at the Gates Sports Center.
 
SET ONE - OAKLAND 20, PURDUE FORT WAYNE 25
The Oakland Golden Grizzlies came up short in the opening set, falling 25-20 to Purdue Fort Wayne. The set started competitively, with both teams trading points early, as kills from Gentry Brown helped keep Oakland within striking distance at 3-3. However, a slight run from the Mastodons pushed the team ahead as it took a five-point lead early, at 10-5.

Oakland fought back though, closing the gap with a pair of kills from Christina Bohm and Sydney Green, bringing the score to 12-11. Despite this rally, Purdue Fort Wayne capitalized on Oakland's errors and maintained their lead. The Golden Grizzlies showed resilience, with strong kills from Green and Bohm, but a late push by Purdue Fort Wayne sealed the set.
 
SET TWO - OAKLAND 25, PURDUE FORT WAYNE 22
The Oakland Golden Grizzlies secured a hard-fought 25-22 victory in the second set against Purdue Fort Wayne to even the match at 1-1. After trailing early at 3-1, Oakland responded with a key kill from Brown and a block by Ainsley Guse to tie the set at 3-3. Both teams traded points throughout, with neither able to pull away, but Oakland capitalized on attack errors from Purdue Fort Wayne to inch ahead.

A pivotal moment came when Oakland's defense came alive, with Bohm registering back-to-back blocks, with an assist to Green for one, to extend the Golden Grizzlies lead to 22-17. Purdue Fort Wayne fought back, but Oakland held their ground, with Green delivering the final blow to secure the set, 25-22. 
 
SET THREE - OAKLAND 22, PURDUE FORT WAYNE 25
The Oakland Golden Grizzlies dropped a closely contested third set to Purdue Fort Wayne, 25-22, as the Mastodons regained the match lead at 2-1. Oakland started strong with Bohm and Green leading the charge at the net, as the game teetered back-and-forth throughout the opening points.

The Golden Grizzlies rallied, with timely kills from Green and Brown to even the set at 13-13. Despite Oakland's efforts to keep the set close, Purdue Fort Wayne found success on several critical attacks, pulling ahead, 22-20. A Late kill from Brown helped the Golden Grizzlies cut the deficit to 24-22, but a final kill from the Mastodons sealed the set at 25-22.
 
SET FOUR - OAKLAND 25, PURDUE FORT WAYNE 17
The Oakland Golden Grizzlies dominated the fourth set, claiming a convincing 25-17 win over Purdue Fort Wayne to force a fifth set. After a slow start that saw the Mastodons jump out to a 3-0 lead, Oakland quickly responded, with kills from Green and Tyler Linkhart evening the score at 3-3.

The Golden Grizzlies front line, led by Brown and Bohm, made life difficult for the Mastodons, with multiple blocks and attack errors from Purdue Fort Wayne allowing Oakland to pull ahead 16-13. Delaney Stern provided a spark off the bench, connecting with Brown for crucial kills and extending Oakland's lead. A service ace from Brown and a kill by Libby Smith pushed the Golden Grizzlies to 22-16, and Oakland sealed the set with a final kill from Lillian Frias to take it, 25-17. 
 
SET FIVE - OAKLAND 7, PURDUE FORT WAYNE 15
Oakland fought hard but ultimately fell short in the fifth set, losing, 15-7, to Purdue Fort Wayne. The Mastodons came out strong, opening with a 4-0 lead, but Oakland responded with a kill from Green and a block by Bohm and Green to cut the deficit to 4-2, but Purdue Fort Wayne quickly regained control.

Despite solid efforts from Libby Smith, who added two late kills, the Mastodons capitalized on service aces to extend their lead to 13-5. Oakland managed to stay alive with a couple of points, but a final kill sealed the set and match for Purdue Fort Wayne, 15-7.

 
Green led the Golden Grizzlies with 16 kills and hit at a .448 clip, as Brown and Smith tallied 10+ kills with 11 each. Rachel Rossman led the team with a pair of aces, as Emily Wichmann was the anchor to the defense with her 20 digs.

The Golden Grizzlies stay on the road as it heads to Wisconsin next week to face off against Green Bay Oct. 18 & 19. Both games will be streamed live on ESPN+.