INDIANA, Pa. – Junior Jessica Ignace tied a season-high with 15 kills but IUP rival Clarion rebounded from a rough start as the Crimson Hawks lost a four-set decision Tuesday night at the Kovalchick Complex.
 
Ignace hit .273 on 33 total attacks and had a block assist to finish with 15.5 points.
 
The Crimson Hawks took advantage of some early Clarion errors to take momentum early with a 25-19 opening set victory. Clarion responded and finished off three straight set with scores of 25-22, 25-18 and 25-21 to clinch the match.
 
IUP's record dropped to 6-13 overall and 2-5 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) with the loss.
 
The Crimson Hawks forced Clarion (14-6, 5-2 PSAC) to hit -.077 with 10 errors and just eight kills in the opening set, while IUP hit .200 to take the early lead. The Golden Eagles then hit over .230 the rest of the way with 45 kills compared to 17 errors while the Crimson Hawks hit a combined .071 in the final three sets.
 
The IUP front had its strongest statistical outing of the year with a season-high 11.0 team blocks. Freshman Kylie Osborn had eight block assists while sophomore Shelby Miles tallied seven, both season-bests.
 
Osborn added eight kills and an ace to finish with a team-best 13.5 points, and Miles seven kills for a season-high 10.5 points.
 
Sophomore Dominica Niccolai had 39 assists and two service aces and senior Jess Marut had 22 digs.
 
Up next
The Crimson Hawks are on the road this weekend with a pair of matches against PSAC Northwest opponents Slippery Rock (5-10, 2-5) and Edinboro (8-9, 1-6).
                                                
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