CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Cleveland State volleyball team closed out a three-match stretch Saturday, dropping a 3-1 decision against Valparaiso.

Cleveland State's offense was led by Laken Voss who finished with 17 kills, while Liberty Torres added nine.

Karly Klaer notched another double-double on the match, finished with 31 assists and 14 digs.

Defensively, the Vikings were led by Audrey McConihe who tallied 18 digs, while Sarah DeGeorge added 14, Laken Voss chipped in 12 and Emma Walker added 10.

As a team, the Vikings combined for 11.0 blocks, including seven from Madison Olinger and four each from Peyton Bloomer and Lydia Latimer.

During the opening set, the Vikings were able to come-from-behind late in the frame, tying the match at 19-19 on a Klaer kill. After trading points over the next few plays, the Vikings were finally able to earn a 22-20 advantage on a Lydia Latimer and Bloomer block, before closing out the frame with a Bloomer kill and a Valparaiso error for the 25-23 first set victory.

Cleveland State was once again able to work its way back into the frame during the second set, as a 4-0 run – with kills from Torres, Latimer and Klaer – brought the Vikings within two points at 20-18. The Vikings would stay within striking distance over the final part of the frame then, even fending off three set points with a trio of Voss kills, before Valparaiso was finally able to close out the 25-23 set victory.

The third set was much of the same, as the Vikings battled back midway through the frame, tying the match at 15-15 following a Valparaiso error. The Beacons responded with five straight points though, extending their lead and going on to control play throughout the rest of the set to take the 2-1 match lead.

Valparaiso was then able to pick up a convincing 25-11 victory in the fourth set, claiming the four-set victory.

UP NEXT
Cleveland State will close out non-league with two matches next week, traveling to Kent State on Thursday, September 15 before hosting Akron on Friday, September 16.