LAKELAND, Fla. – Freshman Nicole Peterson had 23 kills during a five-setter against Florida Southern as the IUP women's volleyball team completed its two-day, four-match Marriott-Terrace Hotel Classic Saturday evening.
 
Peterson's 23 kills are the most by an IUP player since All-American Natalie Cignetti had 25 against West Liberty in September 2017.
 
Classmate Brooke Little added 15 kills in 26 attempts as the rookie duo nearly helped the Crimson Hawks knock off the 2018 NCAA Division II tournament participant Mocs in five sets.
 
Junior setter Dominica Niccolai had 46 assists, added three service aces, four block assists and eight digs.
 
After getting a 25-21 opening set victory, IUP dropped two straight sets to Florida Southern as the Mocs took a lead after three sets. The Crimson Hawks bounced back with a 25-23 win in the fourth before falling 15-9 in the deciding set.
 
IUP had its best offensive performance of the weekend with 54 kills and eight aces. In addition to Niccolai's three, Alyssa Kimmel and Leah Henderson each had two aces.
 
IUP dropped its final match of the weekend 3-0 to Hillsdale, another NCAA tournament member from a season ago.
 
Up next
The Crimson Hawks (0-4) return to the court with another four-match tournament next weekend, heading to Cal U for the Vulcan Invitational.
 
Follow
For up-to-date game information, visit IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP women's volleyball on Twitter @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUPVB.