MATCH RECAP:
The Canisius College volleyball team dropped its final two matches of the non-conference season on Saturday, dropping contests to Youngstown State (3-1) and Eastern Kentucky (3-0) at the Akron tournament. With the losses the Blue and Gold drop to 2-7 overall, before entering conference play next weekend.

In the morning match against the Penguins the Blue and Gold bounced back from an opening set loss, downing YSU 25-21. Youngstown State rebounded quickly in the third set, cruising to a third-set win 25-15.

The Griffs challenged the Penguins in the fourth sets, hoping to force the decisive fifth frame but YSU outlasted the Blue and Gold, winning 25-22 in the fourth frame and winning the match 3-1.

The story was similar against Eastern Kentucky, dropping a quick first set 25-11, before challenging the Colonels in the second set. Despite keeping the score close, the squad still fell short, 25-19. Eatern Kentucky fended off a Canisius comeback in the third set, winning the frame 25-20 and the match 3-0.

Three players reached double-figures in the first match, with Katlyn Tyler leading the way with 16. Freshman Gabrielle Darnaby recorded 11 kills, while Sara Wesley notched 10 in the match. Cassidy Ceriani paced the team with 38 assists, while Carly Shifflet led the team with 14 digs.

In the second match Shifflet paced the team in kills with nine and also recorded seven digs, while Ceriani led with 25 assists and Tyler recorded 11 digs for the team-lead.

GAME NOTES:
• Carly Shifflet set a new career-high in digs with 14 against Youngstown State. She's now recorded 10-or-more digs in three of the last five matches.
•  Cassidy Ceriani recorded 38 assists, posting her second-highest total this season. She has now recorded 20-or-more assists five times during the season.
• Katlyn Tyler led the team with 11 digs against Eastern Kentucky, it's the third time this season that she has recorded double-figure digs this season.
• Tyler was the only Griff to be named to the all-tournament team.

UP NEXT:
The Griffs now ready for conference action, as the squad heads to Marist on Saturday Sept. 17, and then Siena on Sunday Sept. 18. Both matches are set for 1 p.m. Following those matches will be the Griffs' home-opening weekend as Saint Peter's comes to town on Sept. 24 and Rider follows on Sept 25. Both matches are also at 1 p.m. and both will be broadcast on ESPN3.