Lady Barons make a good showing in tri-match

NEW PHILADELPHIA - The Franciscan University of Steubenville volleyball team split a tri-match on Sunday, losing to OSU Mansfield (25-22, 25-19) and beating host Kent State Tuscarawas (25-22, 25-19).

"We got off to a slow start against Mansfield," FUS head coach Kelly Herrmann said. "They are a big hitting team, and you can't afford to get lazy on defense."

The Lady Barons came back to stop the hosts and move to 3-11 on the season.

Kristin Belleque totaled 15 kills for FUS on the afternoon. Kelsey Bowker and Teresa Marcotte had 18 and 15 assists, respectively.

A large part of the Lady Barons' struggles resulted from the continued absence of middle hitter Ali Aeschliman, a Catholic Central graduate. Also, they were without junior setter/right hitter Paddy Scott, also sidelined with an injury.

"Considering that we were without both Paddy and Ali today, I think we played really well," Herrmann said.

FUS dropped a 25-23, 16-25, 25-19, 25-12 decision to La Roche College on Friday. Bowker totaled 12 kills, while Belleque added nine kills and Bernadette Moore six kills. Marcotte contributed 14 assists.

The Lady Barons, 1-4 in Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference, visit Penn State Behrend on Tuesday and will host Kent State Tuscarawas on Oct. 15.