Alfred, NY- The Alfred State volleyball team narrowly lost to the Pitt- Bradford Panthers 3-2 (25-21, 25-21, 25-21, 25-12, 15-11). With the loss, the Pioneers drop to 14-12 overall and 2-5 in conference play.
Alayna Tomlinson led the way for the Pioneers with a double-double, registering 14 kills and 17 digs.
Gloria Stem followed with 14 kills and 12 digs for a double-double of her own, while
Gabriella Thurmond tallied 45 assists and 10 digs to round out another double-double.
Ava Wickes and Tomlinson delivered four aces a piece.
Alfred had a strong start as they began the set with an early advantage. Aces from Stem and
Caley Larsen, combined with some kills, gave Alfred a 4-2 advantage. Both sides battled back and forth throughout the set, but the Pioneers maintained control. With the Pioneers up 22-21, Crowley and Tomlinson delivered consecutive kills, followed by a Panthers error to take the set 25-21.
In the second set, Pitt- Bradford was able to shift the momentum in their favor. Despite strong play from Stem and Tomlinson, Alfred trailed for most of the frame, falling 25-21.
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The Pioneers responded in the third, jumping out to a quick 7-1 lead behind kills from Crowley and
Alli Hillyard. However, the Panthers fought back to tie the score at 10-10 and continued their run to take the set, 25-21.
With the Panthers leading the match 2-1, Alfred came into the fourth set determined. The Pioneers capitalized on an error from the Panthers as Stem put down two kills and
Caitlyn Gilman added one of her own to bring forth a 4-2 advantage. Later, Hillyard and Gilman notched back-to-back kills to extend the lead to 10-6. Following another Panthers miscue, Alfred went on a 6–0 run highlighted by three aces from Wickes. The Pioneers dominated the remainder of the set, with Tomlinson sealing it 25–12.
In the decisive fifth set, Alfred jumped out to a 4–0 lead behind kills from Gilman and Stem, and back-to-back aces from Tomlinson. The teams traded points until Pitt-Bradford pulled ahead 9–7. The Pioneers tied it at 10–10 after a Panthers error and another Tomlinson kill, but couldn't hold off the Panthers' late surge, dropping the set 15–11.
The Pioneers will face off against La Roche University next. That matchup is set for Saturday, November 8
th at 1pm.