PHILADELPHIA – The University of Pennsylvania volleyball team suffered a come-from-behind 3-2 loss to Cal-State Fullerton in the finale of the UC-Riverside Invitational on Saturday afternoon. The Quakers finished 2-1 in the Invitational and fell to 7-2 on the year, ending their six-game winning streak.
 
The Quakers jumped out to an early 2-0 lead and looked poised to run the table, thanks to some outstanding play by Parker Jones. Jones went off for five kills in the first set and .444 hitting percentage, while the Quakers also recorded a .306 team hitting percentage as they won the first set 25-17.
 
The second set was more of the same for the Quakers, recording a 25-21 victory behind more strong play from Jones and Autumn Leak. Margaret Planek was able to put away the set after the Titans attempted a late comeback.
 
Despite the lead, the Titans mounted a comeback, winning the third set 25-19. The Quakers appeared to be the more dynamic and energetic team, recording 16 of their 19 points on kills and doubling up on the Titans, who notched just eight kills. However, the Quakers recorded nine attacking errors and the Titans took advantage.
 
The fourth and fifth set proved to be more of the same as the Titans jumped out to an early fourth set lead and held on for a 25-19 win. In the fifth, the Quakers put together a more complete effort and earned some free points on errors by the Titans but couldn't overcome the strong play of their offense, falling 15-12.
 
Sophomore Kylie Kulinski was named the UC-Riverside Invitational All-Tournament Setter. Sophomore Carmina Raquel was also named to the All-Tournament Team, marking her second consecutive all-tournament honor.
 
Penn returns to action next Friday as they open Ivy League play with a battle at Princeton on September 27^th, beginning at 7:00 p.m.