INDIANA, Pa. – Here's an overview of the week ahead for IUP Athletics.
 
Full Composite Schedule | Live Coverage
 
WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL (17-7, 7-3 PSAC)
Tuesday, October 24
at Clarion – 6:00 p.m. – Live Video – Live Stats
 
Saturday, October 28
at Pitt-Johnstown – 1:00 p.m. – Live Video – Live Stats
 
IUP women's volleyball is set for a big week of road matchups, visiting division-leading Clarion on October 24 before making the short trip to Pitt-Johnstown on October 28. IUP has recorded three consecutive straight-set victories and four consecutive wins overall entering the week.
 
The Hawks were unable to close out Clarion (19-3, 9-1) in five sets during the initial meeting of the two teams back on September 29, the lone home loss of the season for the Crimson Hawks. Meanwhile, IUP knocked off UPJ in five sets at the KCAC back on September 30.
 
IUP ranks among the top 15 in NCAA DII in six different team categories, continuing to lead the nation in total team blocks (245.0). Bailey Flowerdew just moved to seventh on the all-time IUP digs list (1,119), just 29 shy of tying Carri Cole (1,149) for sixth. Flowerdew is also four aces shy of 100 for her career, while her 96 aces are eighth in program history.
 
At the net, Lauren Valentic ranks seventh in program history for single season blocks (125.0) and 12th in program history in total blocks (232.0). Caroline Walsh cracked the top 10 in program history for total blocks last week (246.0) and both look to continue climbing the program leaderboard as the season progresses.
 
FIELD HOCKEY (7-6, 4-4 PSAC)
Tuesday, October 24
vs. Frostburg State – Miller Stadium – 7:00 p.m. – Live Video – Live Stats
 
Saturday, October 28
at #2 East Stroudsburg – 3:00 p.m. – Live Video – Live Stats
 
NOTE: Rankings reflect NFHCA poll released on October 17, 2023; For home games, the live video stream will populate on the PSAC Digital network prior to the start of the contest, typically about 15 minutes before
 
IUP field hockey finishes out the regular season, looking to lock up a postseason berth. The Crimson hawks welcome Frostburg State for the team's home finale on October 24 before concluding the regular season at second-ranked East Stroudsburg on October 28.
 
Heading into the final week, five teams are battling for the final three spots in the conference tournament. IUP sits in a tie for fifth with West Chester with one conference game remaining. Bloomsburg, Mansfield and Millersville all play twice in conference play this week with a variety of clinching scenarios still on the table.
 
Despite holding the statistical edge last week, IUP fell by a 3-0 score to top-ranked Shippensburg. Jess Davidson is one point shy of 50 with 23 career goals and three assists for the Crimson Hawks, leading the offensive charge throughout the season. Anita Planella boasts 39 saves on the season.
 
WOMEN'S SOCCER (4-7-3, 3-7-2)
Wednesday, October 25
vs. Seton Hill – South Campus Field – 4:00 PM – Live Video – Live Stats
 
Saturday, October 28
vs. Edinboro (Pink Out Game) – South Campus Field – Noon – Live Video – Live Stats
 
Despite a difficult stretch, IUP is still alive for a postseason berth and closes out the home portion of the regular season schedule this week. The Crimson Hawks welcome Seton Hill for a midweek matchup on October 25 before hosting Edinboro for the team's home finale on October 28.
 
Hannah Scardina provided IUP a 1-0 lead last time out against Slippery Rock, her seventh goal of the season on Senior Day. SRU responded with a pair of second half goals, including the eventual game-winner in the 90th minute. Vanessa Berlin was outstanding with eight saves last time out for the Crimson Hawks, ranking ninth in the league in total saves (54) this season.
 
IUP enters the week four points out of the final playoff spot in the PSAC West.
 
M/W CROSS COUNTRY
Saturday, October 28
at Go-Fast River Run (Lock Haven) – 12:00 p.m. (W), 1:00 p.m. (M) – Meet Info
 
Fresh off the conference championship race, IUP cross country returns to action this weekend at the Go-Fast River Run, hosted by Lock Haven at the West Branch XC Course. Saturday's race provides a sneak peek at the site of the 2023 NCAA DII Atlantic Regionals.
 
Saturday's race will be the 14th edition of the race, set to begin at noon with the women's 6K. The IUP men's program finished third in the team standings and landed four runners on the all-conference teams, while the women were 15th in the team standings last weekend.
 
Joel Beckwith finished among the top 10 individually, posting ninth overall in 26:41.8 and earning All-PSAC First Team recognition. Mike Formica was also an All-PSAC First Team selection with his 15th-place mark of 27:00.00. Ethan Ribelin and Dan Gibney followed in the IUP lineup, both earning All-PSAC Second Team laurels, with finishes of 19th (27:10.9) and 26th (27:27.4) for the Hawks.
 
In the women's race, Julia O'Brien paced the IUP lineup in 76th with a 25:42.8 time in the 6K race. Stella Kuntz followed closely behind in 78th (25:53.1) with Emma Masson logging third among the IUP lineup in 81st (26:00.8).
 
FOOTBALL (4-4, 2-3)
Saturday, October 26
vs. Gannon (Senior Day) – Miller Stadium – 2:00 p.m. – Live Video – Live Stats – Live Audio – Tickets
 
IUP football wraps up the home portion of its schedule with a Senior Day matchup against Gannon on October 28 with a 2:00 p.m. kickoff from Miller Stadium. The Crimson Hawks fell 35-28 on the road last week against Seton Hill. A full comprehensive preview with game notes and other fan information will be posted to IUPAthletics.com later in the week.
 
Saturday's setback marked just the fifth time since 2000 that IUP has lost four games or more in a season. Hilton Ridley racked up 11 receptions for 131 yards, while Daniel Deabner made two touchdown catches in the game. Noah Johnston and Drew DiNunzio-Biss paced the IUP defense with seven stops each.