INDIANA, Pa. – Freshman Nicole Peterson had a match-high 16 kills and classmate Lizzie Virgin posted a double-double but those individual performances weren't enough as IUP women's volleyball dropped a back-and-forth four-set match to Pitt-Johnstown Tuesday night at the Kovalchick Complex.
 
It was the divisional opener for both teams as the Crimson Hawks' record fell to 3-13 overall and 2-5 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC). Pitt-Johnstown improved to 8-8 and 1-6.
 
IUP took the opening set 25-23 but the Mountain Cats rallied for three straight wins of 25-20, 25-23 and 26-24. The match featured 42 ties and 15 lead changes as each team was able to answer the opposition's momentum with a run of its own. The largest lead taken by either team in any set was five points.
 
With the match on the line in the fourth set, the Crimson Hawks found themselves down 13-9 early but later used a 7-1 run to take a 22-17 lead. UPJ chipped away at that deficit, tying the score at 24 and scoring the remaining two points on attack errors to earn the win.
 
Peterson's 16 kills came on 51 total attacks, adding six digs and a block assist to total 16.5 points. Senior Jessica Ignace also had a match-high 16.5 points with 13 kills, three solo blocks and a block assist.
 
Virgin posted season-highs of 12 kills and 14 digs. She hit .206 on 34 total attacks.
 
Also posting a double-double for the Crimson Hawks was freshman setter Leah Henderson, who had 41 assists and 10 digs.
 
Both teams combined for 29 service errors, the most by two teams in any IUP match this season.
 
Up next
The Crimson Hawks are on the road this weekend as they finish up their Central Division opponents at Lock Haven and Bloomsburg Friday and Saturday, respectively.
 
Follow
For up-to-date game information, visit IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP women's volleyball on Twitter @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUPVB.