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ROCHESTER, Mich. – Behind a balanced offensive attack, the Cleveland State volleyball team picked up its second straight Horizon League victory Saturday, earning a 3-2 win against first-year Horizon League opponent Oakland.

Set scores against the Golden Grizzlies were; 25-16, 25-23, 25-27, 21-25, 15-11.

The Vikings had four players notch double-digit kills to lead the offensive attack against Oakland, led by Grace Kauth who posted 12. Christina Toth tied her career-high with 11 kills, while Maggie Hannon and Kelly Kiger each posted 10 – just the second double-digit kill match of Kiger's career.

Nikki Holmes led the CSU defense with 27 digs, her fifth 20+ dig match of the season, while Logan Holthaus added a career-high 16 and Kauth posted 11 for her fourth double-double of the season. Hannon was one shy of tying her career-high with seven blocks on the day, while Kiger and Katie Nesbitt each added four.

The Vikings were able to cruise to a 25-16 win during the opening set, and then battled for a 25-23 second set victory. During the second frame, the two teams stayed within two points of each other until the 15-12 mark when CSU gained a three-point advantage on a pair of kills from Toth and Kauth. The Vikings were then able to extend their lead to five points (20-15) following a pair of Oakland errors, before the Golden Grizzlies posted an 8-3 run to tie the frame at 23-23. CSU held strong, posting the final two points of the frame on back-to-back kills once again from Toth and Kauth.

Oakland then came out of the break and swept the next two sets, forcing a fifth a deciding frame Saturday afternoon. With much of the momentum now swinging in Oakland's favor, the Vikings came out strong and regained control of the match, capturing a 15-11 victory during the fifth frame to earn the five-set victory.

Cleveland State was able to overcome an early deficit in the final frame, gaining its first lead of the set at the 8-7 mark following an Oakland error. The Vikings then posted three straight points to extend their lead to 11-7 on another OU error and kills from Toth and Kauth. CSU held at least a three-point lead throughout the rest of the frame, closing the set on a Hannon kill and an Oakland error.

The Vikings will finally return home next weekend, hosting UIC and Valparaiso in a pair of Horizon League matches. CSU will face UIC at 7:00 p.m. on Friday (Oct. 11), and will then face Valparaiso at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday (Oct. 12).