Box Score Normal, IL - Toledo suffered a tough loss against Youngstown State, falling by the score of 3-1 (25-27, 25-20, 17-25, 21-25), in their second match of the Country Financial Redbird Classic. This was the second match-up between the interstate teams this season. The Penguins beat Toledo, 3-0, at the Rocket Invitational back on Aug. 29 in Savage Arena. UT now moves to 1-7 on the season.
 
Senior S Alex Hines produced a strong all-around game, tallying a double-double with 43 assists and 10 digs. She also had a kill and two blocks. Freshman DS/L Maurissa Leonard matched her season high from last weekend with 30 digs as the Rockets' libero.
 
On the offensive end, junior RSH Mary O'Connor led the attack with a match-high 14 kills (.306 ATK%). She was followed closely by sophomore MB Rachel Vidourek who had 13 (.357 ATK%) and freshman S/RSH Carly Townsend added 12 (.333 ATK%). Vidourek also notched a team-high four blocks.
 
Youngstown State gained control of the first set early, but the Rockets were able to even the score at 13. Toledo's intensity kept them in the lead until the Penguins rallied to tie it back up at 24. UT was unable to pull through and YSU walked away with a 27-25 victory. Toledo was limited to a .070 attack percentage in the set.
 
YSU started out strong in the second set but once the Rockets knotted the score at 5-5, they never looked back. The Midnight Blue & Gold won the set 25-20 and posted an impressive .469 ATK% as a team.
 
Toledo fell behind quickly in the third set and only led the set for one point. The Penguins' aggressive attack (.433 ATK%) was too much for UT to overcome, and the Rockets lost the set 17-25.
 
UT's intensity picked up in the fourth set. Toledo dominated the beginning of the set until YSU managed to tie it up 19-19. YSU scored the first two points after a Toledo timeout, forcing the Rockets to take another timeout. UT proved not strong enough to overcome the Penguins and fell 20-25.
 
Toledo will return to the court tomorrow to face host Illinois State at 1:30 p.m. (ET) in the last match of the tournamet. UT then travels to Valparaiso on Sept. 15 for an 8:00 p.m. match. the Rockets host the Blue/Gold Invitational next weekend (Sept. 18-19) in Savage Arena.