Box Score

EAST STROUDSBURG – East Stroudsburg University registered its best attack percentage in the past five matches, but the Warriors dropped a tight 3-0 decision to California (Pa.) at Koehler Fieldhouse on Friday night. Set scores were 27-25, 25-22, 25-20.

Junior Desiree Claxton (12 kills, 10 digs) earned her second double-double of the season, while freshman Sarah Smith added 11 kills of her own for the Warriors (8-8, 0-3 PSAC). Ashley Leto (14 kills, 13 digs) and Danielle Hayes (12 kills, 14 digs) each had double-doubles for the Vulcans (11-3, 3-0 PSAC), who won their fourth-straight match.

ESU had a .178 attack percentage compared to California's .062 in the opening set, and the home side led by as many as four points at 12-8 near the midway point. The Vulcans responded with a 6-0 run, and neither side led by more than two points the rest of the way.

An ace from junior Courtney Miller made it 21-19, ESU, but California again hit back with a 4-0 run to regain control. The Warriors fought off three set points on kills from Claxton, Smith and freshman Britney Hewitt before the visitors finally clinched the set with back-to-back kills of their own from Leto and Hayes.

ESU had its best attack percentage in the second set, ending the frame at .237, and two-straight kills from Smith put the Warriors up 22-20 late. The Vulcans regained serve on the next point, and then won four straight points on the serve of Emily Berry, capped by an ace, to open up a 2-0 advantage.

The match remained close for a large portion of the third set, but a 4-0 run helped California grab a five-point edge at 18-13. ESU cut the deficit back down to 21-19 before the Vulcans won four of the next five points to seal the victory.

The Warriors ended the night with a 7-6 advantage in blocks, led by four block assists from Miller and three from Hewitt.
 
Sophomore Tina Predojevic notched her second double-double of the season with a team-high 14 digs and 12 assists, while junior Rosa Veliky chipped in 13 digs from the libero position.

Smith, Miller (four kills) and freshman Sam Dunphy (five kills) each finished tied for the team lead with a .267 attack percentage.

ESU continues a four-match home stand on Saturday afternoon, hosting Seton Hill at 1 p.m.