JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – IUP women's volleyball had a comeback night after making numerous impressive runs to defeat Pitt-Johnstown Saturday night, 3-1. Set scores were 12-25, 25-22, 26-24, and 26-24.
 
The victory closed out IUP's 2024 regular season with a 20-8 overall record and a 10-4 mark in the PSAC, ranking second in the standings. The team clinched PSAC Championship playoff berth with the first round beginning Tuesday, November 19.
 
Delaney Concannon led the Hawks with 14 kills, Nyla Birch contributed 12 kills and two blocks, and Lauren Valentic added 11 kills and three blocks. Olivia Heidel recorded 46 assists, three blocks, and three kills. 
 
The night started slow for the Crimson Hawks, who managed just 12 points in the first set. Heidel and Valentic combined for a block to get IUP on the board, but the team mustered only six kills in the set.
 
In the second, IUP rebounded, jumping out to a 4-2 lead after three attacking errors from UPJ. Tied at 21-21, IUP went on a 4-1 run to win the second, two of those points came from Valentic's kills. Concannon delivered five kills in this set.
 
In the third, IUP trailed 5-2 early and fell behind 24-17 after a 12-4 UPJ run. Facing set point, the Hawks mounted an astonishing nine-point rally to steal the set 26-24, with Birch posting four of her seven kills during the final push.
 
The fourth set followed a similar script, as UPJ led 24-19 late. Once again, IUP found a rhythm reeling off a seven-point run to claim another 26-24 win and secure the match.
 
Up Next
IUP begins postseason play on Tuesday, November 19 in the PSAC Championship Tournament.

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For up-to-date information, visit IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP women's volleyball on X (Twitter) @IUPCrimsonHawks and @IUPVB.