WAYNESBURG, Pa. (Sept. 21) – The Waynesburg University volleyball team welcomed Franciscan to the Rudy Marisa Fieldhouse for a non-Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) match against the Barons. The Yellow Jackets won the opening set, but the visitors bounced back to sweep the final three in a 3-1 contest.
 
Waynesburg (5-6) trailed for most of the opening set, but a 9-0 run turned an 18-14 deficit into a 23-18 advantage. The two squads alternated the final four points of the set as the Jackets earned a 25-20 victory.
 
After building a 5-3 edge in set two, Waynesburg found itself on the wrong end of a 10-0 spurt by Franciscan (5-5) that put the Barons ahead 13-5. A pair of late 4-0 surges by the Green and Gold led to a 25-11 final score.
 
Waynesburg rebounded in set three to force set point thanks to a 25-24 lead. The two teams battled back-and-forth down the stretch run of the game, before back-to-back points by the Barons turned a 29-29 tie into a 31-29 win.
 
The visitors carried their momentum into set four, which they opened with a 9-0 run that set the tone for the remainder of the contest. Franciscan closed out the match by tallying the final six points in a 25-10 victory.
 
Waynesburg was led offensively by junior Emma Hyatt (Carmichaels, Pa. / Carmichaels), who logged a team-high 11 kills on the night. Hyatt also tied for tops in the contest with three blocks and two aces.
 
Freshman Kristian Zadrozny (McDonald, Pa. / West Allegheny) contributed seven successful attacks on the night.
 
Senior Trysten Smith (Senecaville, Ohio / Shenandoah) helped out offensively with a team-best 19 assists.
 
Waynesburg's defensive efforts were powered by junior Jordan Stein (Manor, Pa. / Norwin), who piled up a match-high 33 digs.
 
Waynesburg is back in action on Saturday, Sept. 23, when it travels to Bethany. Start time is scheduled for 1 p.m.