WHEELING, W.Va. – Despite a spirited effort and close scores, IUP women's volleyball lost out on its bid for a regional title on Friday night as the Crimson Hawks dropped a three-set match to top seed Wheeling Jesuit in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Division II Atlantic Region Championships.
The Cardinals (33-5) won by scores of 25-19, 25-19 and 25-21 in a match that featured 30 ties and 13 lead changes throughout. IUP held leads in each set and was within three points late in all three, but late runs by Wheeling proved to be the difference.
IUP senior outside hitter
Natalie Cignetti (Indiana, Pa./Indiana) led the team offensively with 11 kills while also posting a team-best 15 digs.
The Crimson Hawks wrap up a successful season with a runs by 25-10 overall record. The 2017 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Southwest Division champions and top seed in the conference tournament went into the NCAA Championships as the fourth seed in the Atlantic Region.
The IUP defense totaled 13.0 team blocks on the evening, which was its most in a three-set match this year and the second highest total since blocking 15.0 in a five-setter against Seton Hill on Oct. 20.
Elora Pittman (Jackson, Mich./Michigan Center) and
Sami Brown (Lewisberry, Pa./Red Land) each totaled a team-high five blocks (one solo, four assists),
Jessica Ignace (South Lyon, Mich./South Lyon) had three total blocks, and
Katie Miller (Fort Wayne, Ind./Homestead) posted two solo blocks.
Miller dished out 30 assists in addition to her two blocks, adding 10 digs and two service aces.
Crimson Hawks finish best season in more than a decade
The IUP women's volleyball program put together its best season since the early 2000s, with its 25 wins the most since the 2005 season. The division title was IUP's first since 2002, the NCAA tournament appearance was the first since 2010, and the NCAA first round win on Thursday night was the program's first since 2005.
Follow
For up-to-date game information, visit www.IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP women's volleyball on Twitter @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUPVB.
