CHARLESTON, W.Va. - The IUP women's volleyball team opened play at Charleston's UC Invitational with a two-match split on Friday. The Crimson Hawks dropped a heartbreaking five-setter to Chowan in the morning before sweeping Winston Salem State in three sets in the nightcap. 

The split gives the Crimson Hawks a 4-3 overall record on the year. 

Chowan took the first two sets by scores of 28-26 and 25-20 before IUP bounced back with wins of 25-21 and 25-15. The deciding set was tied at 11-all until Chowan scored four of the final five points for a 15-12 victory.

Against Winston Salem State, the Crimson Hawks won with scores of 25-17, 25-15 and 25-11. 

Junior Nicole Peterson led the offensive effort with 25 kills on the day, including 14 with a .367 hitting percentage against Chowan. Brooke Little added 10 kills with a .259 percentage in the opener and had seven more kills against WSSU. 

Senior Kyle Osborn combined for 20.5 points in the two matches with 12 kills, a .400 hitting percentage, five aces and seven block assists. Junior Leah Henderson led all setters with 38 assists, while sophomore Hannah Simmons had 20 against Chowan and junior Maggie Samijlenko had 16 against WSSU. 

The second day of the UC Invitational continues Saturday as IUP will face Ohio Dominican and host Charleston.

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