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PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- Behind a season-high 17-block performance, the Morehead State volleyball team knocked off host Pittsburgh 3-2 (22-25, 25-23, 20-25, 25-22, 15-13) Saturday at Fitzgerald Fieldhouse to win the Panther Invitational.
MSU won its fifth straight match and improved to 9-4. The block total was the most by the team since an 18-block effort on Oct. 2, 2009 versus Eastern Illinois. The hosts fell to 8-5.
Junior middle blocker Laura McDermott registered a career-high eight block assists, while sophomore middle blocker Hannah Sigala tallied six. Sophomore outside hitter Courtney Smith notched five stops to go along with a team-best 17 kills. She also had 18 digs. Junior right-side hitter Alex Fitzmorris also contributed five total blocks.
In addition to her blocking prowess, McDermott added 14 kills on a .286 hitting efficiency. Senior outside hitter Aryn Bohannon chalked up 15 digs and was credited with 11 kills.
Defensively, the Eagles also got a match-high 27 digs from senior libero Leslie Schellhaas. Pittsburgh libero Delaney Clesen totaled 27 ups as well.
McDermott, Smith and Schellhaas were tabbed to the all-tournament team. Smith was named the Most Valuable Player.
Pittsburgh's net defense resulted in 15 blocks. Mechael Guess led the Panther offense with 13 kills. MSU held Pitt to .092 hitting while hitting .104 itself.
The deciding set featured four ties. The Eagles pulled ahead 9-5 but saw Pitt fight back to tie it 9-9. Morehead State scored the next three points to distance itself for the victory. Two attack errors and a Pittsburgh service error gave MSU a lead it never relinquished. The Panthers crawled back to within 14-13, but Bohannon ended the comeback bid with the final kill.
Morehead State travels to Lexington on Monday to face No. 19 Kentucky at 7 p.m. ET.
