PITTSBURGH, Pa., – The Indiana State volleyball team opened up play at the Duquesne/Robert Morris Invitational against the host institutions, with a win over RMU in the morning but fell to the Dukes in the nightcap on Friday. ISU moves to 5-1 overall on the 2014 season.

ISU started off the day with a 3-1 victory over Robert Morris on its home court while Duquesne knocked off the previously undefeated Sycamores 3-1 at AJ Palumbo Center. Before the defeat, ISU began the season 5-0 for the best start for the program since 1989.

“I think tonight we started off too slow against a good Duquesne team who made the NCAA tournament last season,” head coach Traci Dahl-Skinner said. “We can't have as many unforced errors as we did and expect to win. I think we think handled the pressure from Robert Morris well this morning and I think we did a great job of coming back when we were down.”

ISU wraps up action at the Duquesne/Robert Morris Invitational tomorrow at 1 p.m. ET when it faces Youngstown State.

Game 1 vs. Robert Morris

Sophomore outside hitter Bree Spangler posted her second double-double of the season as ISU defeated Robert Morris, 3-1 (22-25, 27-25, 29-27, 25-20) on Friday afternoon at Sawell Auditorium. Spangler posted 11 kills and a career-high 24 digs in the three set win while senior middle blocker Kyla Thomas also recorded a career-high 16 kills with three blocks.

Junior middle blocker Cassandra Willis also added 11 kills while freshman libero Stephanie Bindernagel posted a season-high 24 digs. Junior setter Erika Nord (37 assists) and freshman setter Rachel Griffin (13 assists) shared time against RMU.

The Colonials took set one, 22-25, as Spangler led with four kills but a team effort .038 hitting percentage hindered ISU.

Three consecutive attack errors tied things up at 17-17 in set one, forcing a Sycamore timeout. The two teams would trade points, tying things up at 21-21 before RMU went on a 3-1 run to close the set.

In set two, ISU took command from opening serve but RMU didn't make it easy, as neither team led by more than four in the set.

A duo of ball handling errors gave ISU a 19-15 lead but an ISU attack error and kill from RMU knotted things back up at 20-20.

With set point on the line, RMU couldn't get past a Thomas kill as ISU forced extra points at 24-24. The Colonials kill was thwarted by a service error, giving ISU another chance at 25-25.

The Sycamores wrapped up the set two win on block assist from Nalls and Willis while Nalls followed up by slamming home set point. Nalls and Willis combined for eight kills (four each) along with two blocks.

Thomas turned in three kills on four attempts (.750) as ISU hit .213 in the set.

The Sycamores came out of the break cold, allowing Robert Morris to score nine consecutive points before junior outside hitter Victoria Swigart put down a kill to end the run.

Down 8-18, all looked bleak in set three, but a 10 point run by the Sycamores helped make up lost ground as it trailed by three, 18-21. Back-to-back Thomas kills and a Robert Morris attack error brought ISU within one, 21-22.

With set point, Robert Morris couldn't stop consecutive kills from Thomas and Burdette. ISU took advantage of an attack error and a Bindernagel ace gave the Sycamores the advantage, 25-24. But the two teams were relentless, trading points until a solo block from Willis and block assist from Willis and freshman outside hitter Sarah Peterson solidified the win for ISU.

Game 2 vs. Duquesne

Another double-digit kill performance from Spangler and Willis couldn't help the Sycamores as it dropped its first match of the season to Duquesne, 3-1 (25-27, 15-25, 25-19, 17-25). Spangler led the effort with 12 kills while Willis added 10. Bindernagel and Spangler had 14 and 11 digs, respectively to lead the back row defense.

ISU had chances in set one, but couldn't capitalize as it fell 27-25.  Willis and Spangler each notched four kills but a .459 hitting percentage from the Dukes was too much for ISU.

In set two, ISU couldn't get anything going on offense as it hit just .179. A kill by Spangler and services aces from Willis cut the Duquesne lead to 9-7, but the Sycamores would come no closer falling 15-25.

The Sycamores responded in set three to avoid the sweep as Spangler and Burdette each had four kills for a 25-19 victory. ISU made runs throughout the set, leading by as many as 10 off a Dukes attack error.

But the Dukes returned to previous form in set four, breezing by the Sycamores 25-17.