INDIANA, Pa. -- The IUP women's volleyball program will host Clarion in the first round of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Tournament, on Tuesday, November 19 at 7:00 p.m.
 
What: PSAC Quarterfinals - Women's Volleyball
Where: Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex | Indiana, Pa.
When: Tuesday, November 19 at 7:00 p.m.
Live Video: PSAC Digital Network
Live Stats: Live Stats
In-Game Updates: X (Twitter)
 
Ticket Information
Tickets: IUP vs. Clarion | PSAC Championship Tickets | PSAC Tournament Central
Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children K-12, and students with a valid PSAC member institution ID card will receive free admission. 
 
The Last Time / History
The IUP women's volleyball team is set to return to the PSAC Tournament for the third consecutive year, marking their eighth appearance in program history.
 
The past two years IUP and Clarion have matched up in the PSAC quarterfinals, both times Clarion has won 3-0. The last time the Hawks advanced to the Championships was in 2002 when they defeated Edinboro 3-2.

IUP enters the week ranked fourth in the Atlantic Region behind fellow PSAC opponents Gannon (1) and Clarion (3). Fellow PSAC opponents, Pitt-Johnstown, Shepherd, Seton Hill, and Edinboro, round out the rankings. Regional rankings determine at-large bids to the NCAA Tournament, with conference championships receiving an automatic bid.  
 
The upcoming matchup will be the 31st meeting between IUP and Clarion, with Clarion holding a 24-6 edge in the series. However, IUP recently defeated Clarion 3-2 in a five-set battle on November 12 during their final regular-season home match, extending their win streak to five games.
 
IUP Notes

• IUP is on its third consecutive 20-win season, currently on a six game winning streak
• This season IUP has split the matches against Clarion. They were defeated on October 18 in four sets but won November 12 in five sets.
• IUP has won just two of the past seven matches against Clarion.
• The Hawks are averaging 12.3 kills, 2.0 blocks, and 2.2 aces per set.
• Key killer for the Hawks is rising freshman Jessica Neiman. She leads the team with 242 kills overall and 138 against conference opponents. Neiman also places third among teammates with 50 blocks this season.
• Lauren Valentic has been a standout blocker for IUP, recording 94 total blocks, including 42 in the conference. She has also contributed 144 kills and boasts a .321 hitting percentage, ranking sixth in the PSAC.
• Key blockers for the Hawks include Rylee Brown (77), Neiman (50), and Nyla Birch (35).
• IUP is fifth in the PSAC with 213 total blocks and sixth with 1,314 kills.
• Front line is composed of strong hitters, Birch (172), Simay Memisoglu (162), and Brown (132).
• The Hawks' four conference losses have come against playoff-bound teams: Seton Hill, Edinboro, and Gannon (twice).
• Since Coach Lo's arrival, the Crimson Hawks have made three consecutive PSAC Tournament appearances and two NCAA Regional appearances. Coach Hoyer has an impressive 63-28 overall record, including a 31-15 mark in the PSAC.

Clarion Notes

• Cassidy Snider leads the PSAC with 545 kills and the NCAA DII level with 1,998 throughout her career.
• Other key front players are Emily Klopp (162 kills), Finley Kearney with 133 kills and 81 blocks, and Olivia Ishmael (94 blocks).
• Clarion dropped their regular season finale to Pitt-Johnstown last Saturday in four sets.
• Last season Clarion advanced to the PSAC Championships but fell short to Gannon in five sets. The Golden Eagles advanced to the NCAA Atlantic Regionals and won the Region against IUP in a three-set sweep.

Around the League
IUP (20-8, 10-4 PSAC) is the second seed in the PSAC West hosting third seed Clarion (15-10, 9-5 PSAC).

No. 4 (E) Millersville at No. 1 (E) Shepherd (7:00 p.m.)
No. 3 (W) Clarion at No. 2 (W). IUP (7:00 p.m.)
No.3 (E) Shippensburg at No. 2 (E) East Stroudsburg (7:00 p.m.)
No. 4 (W) Seton Hill at No. 1 (W) Gannon (7:00 p.m.)

Potential Future Opponents
If the Crimson Hawks come out on top Tuesday, they will face the winner between No.1 Shepherd and No.4 Millersville. The semifinals and championship will be hosted at the highest remaining west seed site Friday (Nov. 22) and Saturday (Nov. 23).
 
Up Next
IUP begins postseason play on Tuesday, November 19 in the PSAC Championship Tournament against Clarion at 7:00 p.m. at the KCAC

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