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SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University volleyball team had the top-ranked squad in Atlantic Region on its heels on several occasions Friday night, but Edinboro University was able to survive the scares and hold on for a 3-0 (19-25, 16-25, 25-27) win over The Rock at Morrow Field House.

Leading Slippery Rock (8-18, 5-11 PSAC) with seven kills each were junior outside hitter Kaylee Smith and sophomore opposite Sarah Cadwallader. Junior outside hitter Kristin Slavoski and sophomore outside hitter Lexi Arnold contributed to The Rock attack with five and four kills respectively.

In addition to her three kills, junior middle hitter Lisa Bakaitis posted a team-high four blocks for Slippery Rock off of two solo blocks and two assisted blocks. Both Cadwallader and sophomore middle blocker Hayley Wilson registered two assisted blocks on the night.

Senior setter/defensive specialist Anna Bixler guided Slippery Rock with 16 assists while junior outside hitter Alee Kromer once again led SRU in digs with 19. Smith was the only other Rock player to record double-digit dig totals with 11.

The Rock began the night by sprinting out to a 7-4 lead in the first set thanks in part to a kill and a service ace from Arnold. However, Edinboro (25-3, 15-1 PSAC) battled back to tie the match at 15-15. The Fighting Scots then proceeded go on a 9-1 run to take a commanding 24-16 lead. SRU trimmed the lead to five points (24-19), but was unable to score again as EU finished SRU off in the first 25-19.

The Second set saw the Green and White fall into a 6-2 hole early. Slippery Rock played even with the No. 1 team in the PSAC-West for the rest of the set, but the damage was already done as Edinboro went on to win the second set 25-16.

Slippery Rock stayed strong and jumped out to a 7-5 lead in the third set despite staring at a two sets to none deficit to an Edinboro squad that coming into tonight had went seven consecutive matches without losing a set.

The two squads continued the back-and-forth pace that was established in the first two sets with the underdog Rock team holding onto a 14-12 lead halfway through the set, forcing Edinboro to call a timeout. Edinboro broke the huddle and scored five of the sets next seven points to claim a 17-16 lead that led to an SRU timeout. The quick stop and play helped the Rock as SRU was able to retake the lead 22-20 after the break, but Edinboro refused to go away quietly.

The Fighting Scots won three of the next four points to tie the set for the 13th time at 23-23 before taking the lead 24-23. Slippery Rock hung on to tie the match at 24-24 and again at 25-25 before Edinboro ultimately won the set and the match 27-25.

Edinboro has now won 9-10 matches against Slippery Rock dating back to 2007.

Slippery Rock will be back in action at home on Saturday against Mercyhurst at 2 p.m. Tomorrow will also be Senior Day at Morrow Field House as seniors Anna Bixler, Alex Heller, Keira Peoples and Kim Wilson will be recognized before the match.