EAST STROUDSBURG, Pa. -- Barry University's volleyball team won a pair of matches at the East Stroudsburg Invitational, including a four-set thrilling victory over West Chester Friday.
The Buccaneers (5-1) handed West Chester (5-1) its first loss of the season, bouncing back after dropping the third set to win the final set for a 25-22, 26-24, 19-25, 29-27 victory. Barry beat Southern New Hampshire, 25-20, 25-15, 19-25, 25-16, in the first match.
Against West Chester, Barry pounded 21 kills, hitting .245 in the final set to close out an intense finish. The Buccaneers were outblocked 13-6, but had enough in the tank to hold off the Golden Rams, who got 14 kills apiece from Marina Sharkey and Julia O'Brien.
Barry junior setter Jasmine Serna had a career-high 52 assists, and Tashalyn Begon and Jayla Trombley each finished with 12 kills. Begon also had eight digs. Newcomer Anita Oppenauer had eight kills, and Eva Raat also had eight putaways for the Bucs.
Kristen Reid had 21 digs, and Victoria Fajardo had seven kills and 11 digs as the Bucs hit .158.
In the win over Southern New Hampshire, Barry hit .260 as a team, and outblocked the Penmen, 16-4.5. Ivana Didanovic had 10 blocks for Barry. She has 28 blocks this season, and has had 10 in two matches on successive weekends. Didanovic and Serna each had two aces.
Raat had 11 kills, Laine Cielena 10 kills and six blocks, and Begon nine kills, nine digs and an ace. Fajardo had seven kills, and Trombley finished with 14 digs. Reid had 12 digs.
Barry will play host East Stroudsburg at 10 a.m. Saturday, and Pace at noon.