CALIFORNIA, Pa. – Sophomore Liv Burns had a career-high 11 kills to help lead the IUP women's volleyball team to a four-set win over West Virginia Wesleyan Friday at California's Vulcan Invitational.
 
The win came in the Crimson Hawks' morning match. They lost to top-ranked Nebraska Kearney in three sets in the evening.
 
Burns was one of 12 different IUP players to score in the victory, finishing with 15.0 total points with three service aces and a pair of block assists. Junior Jessica Ignace had eight kills, two aces and three blocks assists, and sophomore Madi Burns had seven kills and two block assists.
 
After an opening set loss, IUP rebounded with three straight victories by scores of 25-15, 25-20 and 25-7.
 
The IUP defense stepped up in those three victories, forcing Wesleyan (0-6) into a negative hitting percentage in each set and a combined 25 hitting errors. The Crimson Hawks forced Wesleyan into 27 hitting errors over the course of the match compared to just 22 kills.
 
IUP (3-7) earned 14 points in the match off the serve, with Liv Burns and freshman Lexi Hraga tallying three aces apiece. Six other Crimson Hawks had at least one ace.
 
Sophomore setter Courtney Kijek received her most extensive playing time of the season and finished with 18 assists. Senior Jess Marut had 19 digs.
 
Crimson Hawks drop rematch with top team
Nebraska Kearney (10-0) picked up its second win of the season over the Crimson Hawks with scores of 25-10, 25-15 and 25-15. The first win came at the season opening Cougar Classic at San Marcos, California when UNK was ranked eighth in Division II.
 
Up next
The Crimson Hawks finish up their time at the Vulcan Invitational with matches against Southern New Hampshire (1 p.m.) and Notre Dame College (4 p.m.) Saturday.
 
Follow
For up-to-date game information, visit IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP women's volleyball on Twitter @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUPVB.