MILLERSVILLE, Pa. -  The Marauders dominated on the road in last weekend's RamFest Tournament and continued their strong start with a pair of wins in their home opener Friday afternoon.
 
Millersville (6-0) made quick work of Chestnut Hill (1-4) in their first home match of the season, defeating the Griffins in straight sets. Frostburg State (5-1) would push Millersville to the wire in all three sets, but the Marauders were able to dig deep, forcing a comeback win in each set against the Bobcats.

HOW IT HAPPENED
VS. CHESTNUT HILL (25-16, 25-16, 25-19)

• After falling behind 2-0 to open play, the Marauder offense came alive with Millersville scoring eight of the next nine points to take an 8-3 lead. The Marauders held a consistent lead the rest of the set, never allowing the Griffins to get within four. 'Ville ended the set with a pair of kills from Rose Vail and an ace from Laurel Samko.
• The Marauders carried momentum into the second set, scoring six of the sets first eight points. With a 12-6 lead the Marauders put the set out of reach by scoring seven of the next eight points, expanding the lead to 11.
• The third set was again all Millersville early on, with the Marauders taking each of the first five points and eight of the first nine. In the middle of the set Samko took over on the offensive end, tallying four kills to push the lead to 16-9. Kylie Airesman and Emma Ludwig added a pair of kills each in the final points while Samko ended the match with her team leading 10^th kill.  

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Millersville led in aces 13 to 2, recording 10 or more aces for fourth time in their first five matches.
• The team recorded their highest attack percentage (.293) of the season.
• Samko and Vail tied for the team lead in kills with 10 while Airesman followed with nine.
• Mya Cascario recorded a season high five aces.
• Rylee Thomas led the team in blocks with four.

VS. FROSTBURG STATE (26-24, 25-23, 25-23)

• Following close play in the open points, Millersville took advantage of a Frostburg service error as the team began a five-point run that put the Marauders ahead 14-8. After leading 21-19, a service error and three consecutive Millersville attacking errors put the Bobcats ahead 23-21. Samko cut the deficit to one with a kill. Frostburg then went ahead 24-22 to force set point. The Marauders would score the next four points, two of which came on kills from Airesman to win 26-24.
• Neither team would budge in the second set. Millersville had a four-point run early, while Frostburg countered with a four-point run of their own to cut the Marauder lead to one (16-15). The set featured 10 ties with Millersville holding onto the lead most of the way. Frostburg had a pair of leads at opposite ends of the set (2-1 and 23-22) but never led by more than one point. The Marauders scored the final three points as Vail tied it at 23-23, a Bobcat attack error put the Marauders ahead 24-23, and Airesman closed out the match with her eighth kill.
• The final set of the day was up and down for both teams. Millersville led early (10-9) and a four-point run helped move the score to 14-9. Frostburg went ahead late scoring eight of nine points to take a 23-21 lead. Millersville would score each of the final four points, with the last three coming on attacking errors by the Bobcats to close out the match.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Thomas recorded a season high five blocks.
• Vail led the team in kills with 12.
• Ludwig picked up 23 assists while Becca Dalstad tallied 19 digs.

NOTES

• Millersville is now 6-0 to open a season for the first time since 2017, when the Marauders began their campaign with a 7-0 start.
• The team has won 18 of its first 19 sets of action over six matches.
• The Marauders are now 6-0 all time against Chestnut Hill and 1-0 against Frostburg State. 

REACTION FROM HEAD COACH BRIAN SMITH
On the success of the offense: "All of our pin hitters have really stepped up. Everyone is getting comfortable with the speed we are pushing to play at. Rose and Laurel have been great teammates for four years and it's their time now to carry the torch and they are taking advantage of that opportunity that is very well earned."
On the close sets against Frostburg: "Frostburg is a good team. They play quicker than any other team we faced so far. I think just trusting each other in the court and not stressing too much when the score tightened help us over the finish line."
On Thomas' contributions at the net: "Rylee has always been a blocking force. She reads (offenses) very well and has strong blocking mechanics. She prides herself at that being a big part of how she contributes to the success of the team. She loves to block."
On the doubleheader: "The team continues to pass and serve very well. The defense today looked really good, and it was super fun to watch and be challenged and still find a way to win."

UP NEXT

• 'Ville returns to action tomorrow for another pair of matches in day two of the Marauder Clash. The team will take on Fairmont State at 2 p.m. and Nyack at 5 p.m. from Pucillo Gymnasium.