CLARION, Pa. – Senior
Lily McWilliams and junior
Natalie Cignetti each tallied 12 kills to help boost IUP women's volleyball to a four-set victory over Clarion in a must-win match on Tuesday night.
The Crimson Hawks outhit Clarion .159 to .089, forcing the Golden Eagles into 32 hitting errors while totaling 16 team blocks. Redshirt sophomore
Elora Pittman had eight total blocks, while junior
Gabby Egler had seven and McWilliams added five.
IUP won the first set 25-13, but dropped the second 25-19. The Crimson Hawks then rallied for wins of 25-21 and 25-18 in the third and fourth sets, respectively.
The victory draws IUP closer to a possible Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) tournament spot, as the Crimson Hawks are now tied with Clarion for second place in the Southwest Division with a 10-6 league record. They are one game back of division-leader California (11-6) and one win up on Seton Hill (9-7).
IUP will play both Cal and Seton Hill this weekend in matches that will ultimately decide playoff seedings and berths. It is expected that the Southwest Division will put three total teams in the eight-team tournament.
McWilliams' 12 kills came on 39 total attacks as she hit .205, adding eight digs to go along with her five block assists. Cignetti also had seven digs and four block assists.
Senior setter
Lindsay Moeller turned in an all-around night, totaling 34 assists, 10 digs, six service aces, and four block assists.
Sophomore
Jess Marut also helped with the defensive effort, tallying 27 digs.
Tonight's match also featured a pair of teams in the top 10 of the NCAA's Atlantic Region rankings, which determine the NCAA playoff picture. IUP came into tonight ranked seventh in the region while Clarion was ranked ninth.
The Crimson Hawks' two divisional matches this weekend are both on the road. They'll play at Cal on Friday at 7 p.m. and at Seton Hill on Saturday at 1 p.m.
For up-to-date game information, visit www.IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP women's volleyball on Twitter @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUPVB.
