PHILADELPHIA – The Thomas Jefferson University volleyball team (8-1) prevailed in a five-set battle against visiting Kutztown (6-6) on Saturday to up its win streak to eight.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
After the Rams recorded the first point of the match, the Golden Bears scored six in a row to take the lead. Jefferson closed the gap to one (10-9) before Kutztown created some distance with four straight points. However, the Rams answered with eight of the next nine to go ahead 17-15. Jefferson had two set points at 24-22 but the Golden Bears rallied for five of the next six points to steal the set, 27-25.
 
In the second, the sides were even at five when the Rams pulled in front with a 6-1 run. Jefferson later had another 6-1 surge and led 17-9. Kutztown was able to get within three at 19-16 but the Rams held on to win by a 25-20 score. The third set was all Jefferson as the Rams got out to a 7-3 advantage. Jefferson used an 8-1 stretch to leave the Golden Bears behind on the way to a 25-13 victory.
 
The two squads were deadlocked at five apiece in the fourth. Kutztown took control with a 13-4 run and went on to force a decisive fifth frame with a 25-17 decision. The Rams had the early edge in the fifth with a 4-1 cushion. The Golden Bears got within one on three occasions but Jefferson responded to keep the lead. The score was 12-10 when the Rams tallied three consecutive points to win the match.
 
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
Jess Molen: 19 kills, .318 hitting percentage, 4 service aces, 3 digs
Sam Mann: 13 kills, .308 hitting percentage, 4 blocks
Morgan Ritchie: 13 kills, .357 hitting percentage, 11 digs
Kristine Guenther: 42 assists, 8 digs
Gianna Napoleon: 4 kills, 5 blocks
Cameron Johnson: 17 digs, 4 assists
 
NOTES
- Sam Mann's 13 kills tied her season high.
- It was the first meeting between Jefferson and Kutztown since 2015 and the Rams have won the last two matchups.
 
UP NEXT
Jefferson continues its four-match home stand with a conference battle against Holy Family on Wednesday, September 21^st at 6 p.m.