EDINBORO, Pa. – The IUP women's volleyball team bounced back in convincing fashion Friday night, using a balanced offensive attack to sweep Edinboro at McComb Fieldhouse.
The Crimson Hawks earned the 26-24, 25-19, 25-23 victory to improve to 13-4 overall and 7-1 in PSAC play. IUP responded after having its 11-match winning streak snapped in a five-set loss at Pitt-Johnstown last weekend.
Jessica Neiman led a balanced IUP attack with nine kills, while Kyra Schmidt and Sammy Stephens added eight apiece. Mikalah Kim and Charlotte Potvin each chipped in seven kills.
Kim was nearly perfect offensively, posting seven kills without an error on 10 attacks for a .700 hitting percentage. She also provided a match-high five blocks. Potvin and Schmidt added four blocks apiece as IUP finished with nine as a team.
The Crimson Hawks were efficient throughout the match, finishing with 45 kills and a .283 hitting percentage while limiting Edinboro to 37 kills and a .170 mark.
IUP came out firing in a tightly contested opening set, recording 18 kills while hitting .400. The Crimson Hawks battled their way to a 26-24 victory to take the early advantage.
The Crimson Hawks followed with their most decisive set of the night, taking the second 25-19 behind 14 kills and a .273 hitting percentage.
Edinboro attempted to extend the match in the third, but IUP closed out the sweep with a 25-23 victory. The Crimson Hawks held the Fighting Scots to a .095 hitting percentage in the final set.
Ellie Rauch directed the IUP offense with 23 assists while adding eight digs and two service aces. Maddie Zechman handed out 12 assists and matched Rauch with two aces.
Delaney Concannon paced the defensive effort with 11 digs, while Brooke Kessler added 10. IUP held a 51-37 advantage in digs and finished with seven service aces.
The Crimson Hawks continue their road swing Saturday with a PSAC matchup against Gannon in Erie.
