INDIANA, Pa. – Senior middle blocker
Gabby Egler (Pittsburgh, Pa./Barack Obama Academy) had 12 kills and four blocks to help IUP women's volleyball remain undefeated in conference play with a 3-0 win over visiting West Chester on Saturday afternoon at the Kovalchick Complex.
Nine of Egler's 12 kills came in the first and second sets, as the Crimson Hawks improved to 13-4 overall and 3-0 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC). IUP won by scores of 26-24, 25-18 and 25-15.
IUP had to overcome a sluggish start, as West Chester (11-4, 1-3 PSAC) fought for a 20-16 lead in the opening set. The Crimson Hawks then scored five of the next seven points, including a kill and service ace by Egler, and ended the set on a 10-4 run to get the win.
Egler had two aces to finish with a season-high 16.0 points, the Crimson Hawks' top scorer on the day.
West Chester again grabbed the momentum early in the second set, taking a 7-2 lead before an IUP timeout helped the Crimson Hawks close the gap to 13-11. Later with the set tied at 16-16,
Ellie Burns (Clarion, Pa./Clarion) six straight points as IUP used the run to a seven point set two victory.
IUP hit just .155 for the match, but limited the Golden Rams to just a .016 hitting percentage, including negative in the final set.
Senior outside hitter
Natalie Cignetti (Indiana, Pa./Indiana) posted her ninth double-double of the year with 12 kills and 17 digs, hitting .273 for the match. Senior setter
Katie Miller (Fort Wayne, Ind./Homestead) assisted on 37 of the Crimson Hawks' 42 kills, adding two of her own with four digs.
IUP totaled 8.0 team blocks, with senior outside
Alexis Anderson (Cleveland, Ohio/Mayfield) and Egler finishing with four block assists, redshirt junior middle
Elora Pittman (Jackson, Mich./Michigan Center) had three, and junior middle
Sami Brown (Lewisberry, Pa./Red Land) added a solo and two assists.
Up next
The Crimson Hawks look to improve on their 4-0 conference start next weekend with a road trip to Erie, facing Gannon (13-3, 3-1) on Friday and Mercyhurst (6-9, 1-3) on Saturday.
Follow
For up-to-date game information, visit www.IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP women's volleyball on Twitter @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUPVB.
