INDIANA, Pa. – Despite a valiant comeback attempt that extended the third set, the Crimson Hawks dropped a three-set non-conference women's volleyball match to visiting Charleston on Tuesday night at the Kovalchick Complex.
 
Charleston took the opening two sets by scores of 25-19 and 25-17 before IUP rallied, with the Golden Eagles ultimately clinching the match with a 31-29 third set win.
 
The Crimson Hawks led 18-11 in the third set, but Charleston rattled off five straight points to cut its deficit to two. IUP kept the Golden Eagles at arm's length, and pushed the set to the brink by taking a 24-22 lead, but Charleston responded with three straight points to go on top 25-24.
 
The teams traded scores, as IUP held off four Charleston match points to extend the set. After the Crimson Hawks rallied to tie the score at 29-all, Charleston pushed a pair to take the victory.
 
It was the first home loss for the Crimson Hawks this year, as they fell to 9-2 overall. Charleston improved to 6-7 with the victory.
 
Senior Lily McWilliams (Rockville, Md./Thomas Sprigg Wootton) and junior Alexis Anderson (Cleveland, Ohio/Mayfield) each had a team-high 10 kills for the Crimson Hawks, who were outhit by Charleston .287 to .095. Senior Lindsay Moeller (Troy, Mich./Troy) had her sixth straight 30-assist outing with 31 dishes on the night. She now has posted 30 assists in nine of IUP's 11 matches. Sophomore Jess Marut (Painesville, Ohio/Riverside) had a game-high 22 digs.
 
The match was the first of three at home for the Crimson Hawks this week. IUP opens its Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) schedule on Friday against Kutztown and will also play host to East Stroudsburg on Saturday afternoon.
 
For up-to-date game information, visit www.IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP women's volleyball on Twitter @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUPVB.