ERIE, Pa. – Putting together the best season the program has seen in over two decades, the IUP women's volleyball program saw its magical NCAA Tournament run come to a close with a straight-set defeat at the hands of Clarion in the 2023 NCAA DII Atlantic Region Championship match on Saturday in Erie.
 
IUP (23-11) struggled offensively all night against an outstanding Clarion squad. The Hawks had 13 service errors and hot just .080 for the match after an emotionally charged win led than 24 hours prior against Gannon.
 
Lauren Valentic, Nyla Birch and Simay Memisoglu had six kills apiece against a stout Golden Eagle squad, which will represent the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) in the NCAA Elite 8. Bringing in 12 new faces into the 2023 season, the IUP Crimson Hawks meshed for another 20-win season and the program's furthest tournament run since 2001.
 
Valentic and Caroline Walsh were recognized as part of the NCAA DII Atlantic Region All-Tournament team. Cassidy Snider, the 2023 Atlantic Region Player of the Year, racked up 14 kills for the Golden Eagles with Julia Piccolino adding 11 kills and seven digs. London Fuller posted a double-double for the Golden Eagles of 28 assists and 11 digs.
 
Both sides battled some early nerves with a combined 12 service errors in the initial set. IUP held the slight advantage at 14-13 with a Valentic kill, part of a three-point spurt for a 16-13 edge. The Hawks remained ahead by a slim margin before Clarion responded by knotting the frame at 21.
 
IUP found Valentic down the middle for a kill and a 24-23 lead, forcing Clarion into a timeout in the opening set. After IUP thought it had the set secured on a Clarion attack error, the Golden Eagles flipped the script for a 26-24 triumph.
 
A pair of early kills by Birch helped IUP stem the tide at the onset of the second set. Hannah Simmons dropped in a well-placed service ace for a 7-4 IUP advantage until Clarion responded, tying the set at nine. Off a pair of sterling defensive saves, Grace Mangapora slapped down a kill that tied the set at 14.
 
IUP continued to chip away in a tightly contested frame with Clarion ahead 20-18 following some intense rallies. Clarion surged ahead 22-18 with an ace and solo block from London Fuller. The Golden Eagles closed out the second set with seven of the final nine points for a 2-0 match lead.
 
Consecutive kills from Mangapora and Valentic worked the score tied at four as both teams showcased strong defense. Fitting the narrative of the night, Clarion pushed back with a timely run to take control at 8-5. The Golden Eagles continued rolling at 11-6, prompting an IUP stoppage. The Crimson Hawks battled back out of the timeout, chipping away to within 12-9 following three consecutive points.
 
Clarion regained the momentum with a key block from Fuller for a 15-10 margin. Clarion's lead hovered near five points in the third with IUP unable to close the gap down the stretch.
 
NOTES
IUP was facing Clarion for the fourth time this season… IUP has posted a two-year record of 43-20 under the direction of head coach Lorelle Hoyer… Hoyer is now .683 at the helm of the Crimson Hawks, tied with Carmine Cortazzo for the highest in program history… Sporting the best blocking output in Division II, IUP and Clarion were even with eight total blocks each… Clarion is 36-20 all-time against IUP… Bailey Flowerdew finishes with 1238 career digs, good for sixth in program history… Walsh closed a stellar career at IUP as part of her fifth season in 2023, finishing with 618 career kills, 288 total blocks (9th in program history) and a .291 hitting percentage (7th in program history).
 
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