ERIE, Pa.- Coming off of a 20-8 regular season, the IUP women's volleyball team begins their journey in the postseason in Erie on Friday. The Crimson Hawks who earned the six seed in the Atlantic Region will face the third-seeded Wheeling Cardinals who finished their regular season at 26-7. The match is set to begin at 12:00 p.m.
The Crimson Hawks and the Cardinals have not met in official gameplay since 2019, but met twice in the 2022 preseason where they split two scrimmages 1-1.
Wheeling is coming off of a twelve game win streak with their past three wins (Glenville State, West Liberty, and University of Charleston) solidifying an MEC title.
GAME INFORMATION- WHEELING
- IUP (20-8) vs. Wheeling (26-7)
- When: Friday, November 18 - 12:00 p.m.
- Where: Highmark Events Center - Erie, Pa.
- Social Media Updates: Twitter (@IUPVB)
- Live Video: PSAC Digital Network
- Live Stats: SideArmStats
- Championship Central: Here
- Season Stats: IUP | Wheeling
IUP NEWS AND NOTES
- The Crimson Hawks have played Wheeling fifteen times since the 2003 season, obtaining two wins and thirteen losses against the Cardinals.
- IUP's last four wins have all been taken in straight sets (Mercyhurst, Pitt-Johnstown, Cal U, and Seton Hill).
- Lauren Valentic looks to be a threat on both sides of the net as she holds team high numbers in hitting percentage (.333 with 210 kills) and blocks (93) on the season.
- Nicole Peterson holds a team high 271 kills on the year with a hitting percentage of .227 while also having strong defensive numbers at 248 digs.
- Leah Henderson has 926 assists on the season, and is looking to add to those team high numbers during this match.
- Bailey Flowerdew leads the Crimson Hawks in digs for the season (295) and will play a large defensive role tomorrow.
- IUP is 3-1 in neutral territory this season, as they take on the Cardinals in Erie.
- This NCAA tournament appearance for the Crimson Hawks is the first since the 2017 season, as head coach Lorelle Hoyer brings her group to Erie during her first season at IUP.
SCOUTING WHEELING
- 2022 Overview | Overall: 26-7 | MEC: 15-1 | Home: 13-1 | Away: 9-3 | Neutral: 4-3
- The Cardinals held strong at home this season with only one loss, as their six other losses came on the road or neutral locations.
- The last time IUP and Wheeling held official gameplay, the Cardinals took a 3-0 win against the Hawks in 2019.
- Tylah Yeomans has a team high 421 kills on the season along with a hitting percentage of .284, and solid defensive stats with 217 digs.
- Allonda Watkins holds 372 kills on the season with a team high hitting percentage of .396. Watkins is tied with teammate Mady Winters for 125 blocks on the year.
Atlantic Region Tournament Field
- Host: Gannon – Erie, Pa.
- (1) Gannon vs. (8) Elizabeth City State (11/18 @5pm)
- (4) Charleston (W.Va.) vs. (5) Fairmont State (11/18 @7:30pm)
- (2) Clarion vs. (7) West Liberty (11/18 @2:30pm)
- (3) Wheeling vs. (6) IUP (11/18 @12pm)
Follow
For up-to-date information, visit IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP women's volleyball on Twitter @IUPCrimsonHawks and @IUPVB.
