Image
CSU Volleyball
Credit: Cleveland State University Athletic Department
Cleveland State’s Peyton Bloomer goes for the spike in a game against Robert Morris on Mar. 1.

Cleveland State volleyball notches series sweep over Robert Morris

Cleveland State volleyball notched its second series sweep of the season, disposing of Robert Morris in a Horizon League two-match series at the Wolstein Center earlier this week. 

The Vikings improved to 7-5 overall record and 7-5 in the Horizon League. Newcomer, Robert Morris dropped to a lowly 0-10 overall and 0-10 in Horizon League play. Cleveland State holds a 31-1 all-time record against the Colonials.  

Match 1 - Monday Mar. 1

Cleveland State battled through a tough first set, paving the way for a 25-20, 25-15, 25-14 match victory. 

The Vikings trio of Emily DeGeorge, Hannah Greene and Peyton Bloomer combined for 36 kills, including Bloomer’s team-high 13. Attacking early and often, the Vikings overwhelmed the Colonials with a .350 hitting percentage. 

Abby Miller set the Green and White up for success throughout the night, tallying 43 assists on Cleveland State’s 51 kills. Miller also had 12 digs, marking her fifth double-double of the season. Caroline Kucia and DeGeorge each chipped in 14 digs to keep the defense humming along.  

Hannah Miller finished with a team-high four blocks as the Vikings dominated with a 6-2 blocking advantage. Cleveland State also out-dug the Colonials, 63-53.

Abby Ryan and Alyssa Hudak led Robert Morris with eight kills each.   

The Colonials and Vikings traded points early in the first set, but Cleveland State broke through with a small 3-0 spurt, including London Portis’ kill to make it 14-11. Cleveland State continued the attack, staying one step ahead of the visitors throughout the match. The Vikings hammered home four of the final five points as Chelsea Penfield closed the door on any hopes with a set-clinching kill for the 25-20 victory.

The Vikings delivered a similar performance in the second set, eventually distancing themselves with a 14-8 lead, fueled by repeated kills from Greene and Bloomer. The duo continued to stretch the advantage and sealed the match with a trio of hits to put the Colonials away, 25-15.

Cleveland State opened set three with a 10-5 lead after the Vikings reeled off four consecutive points from DeGeorge and Greene to distance themselves yet again from the Colonials. The Vikings kept their foot on the gas and cruised through until back-to-back kills from DeGeorge earned the match victory.

Match 2 - Tuesday Mar. 2

Cleveland State followed up Monday’s sweep with another strong performance, earning a 25-16, 25-15, 25-14 match victory and series sweep over Robert Morris. 

The Vikings were led by Greene’s 12 kills while Bloomer tallied 11. Miller was sensational on the set, chalking up 39 assists and 10 digs, earning her sixth double-double of the season. 

Kucia and McConihe each garnered 17 digs on the night as the Vikings out-dug the Colonials, 66-56.  

The defense was in full force as Greene posted a team-high six block-assists while Portis added four of her own. Cleveland State won the blocking battle, 8-3. The Vikings also held Robert Morris to a .089 hitting percentage while CSU tallied a blistering .347. 

Hudak led the Colonials with 12 kills. 

Cleveland State bolted out of the gate to an 8-1 lead in the first set. The Vikings were firmly in control, pushing the advantage to 19-11 on a Kucia service ace. Portis put the Colonials away a few plays later with a set-clinching kill. 

The Vikings again got off to a hot start in set two, claiming a 4-0 lead. Cleveland State upped their lead to 15-9 midway through the set, before catching fire on a rally to extend their lead to 20-10 on a McConihe service ace. DeGeorge put the set away on a powerful kill to claim the 2-0 match lead. 

In a last ditch effort to salvage their series, the Colonials battled hard in the third set, fueled by a pair of kills from Hudak. Robert Morris trimmed Cleveland State’s lead to 11-9, but the Green and White were just too much, capitalizing on Colonial errors and piling up the service aces, including Halle Schoen’s big hit to give CSU the 17-11 advantage. Once they got the cushion the Vikings cruised, putting the match - and series - away with a 25-14 victory.

Next on the docket, The Vikings will travel to Fairborn, Ohio to face first-place Wright State (10-1 overall) and 10-0 in league play. The two-match series is set to begin Mar. 8 at 6 p.m.