FINDLAY, Ohio – The IUP women's volleyball team opened its 2026 season Thursday with the start of a busy weekend on the road, returning nearly its entire roster and a veteran core looking to add another PSAC championship to its resume. The Crimson Hawks opened against Findlay, which went 24-6 last season and advanced to the second round of the NCAA regional tournament.
Three of the four sets were decided by two points, including an opening set that went beyond 25. Findlay took the first two sets before IUP responded by winning the third. The Crimson Hawks nearly forced a decisive fifth set, but the Oilers scored the final four points of the fourth to secure the match.
IUP finished with 49 kills, led by junior Jessica Neiman with 12. Delaney Concannon added nine kills, while Charlotte Potvin finished with eight.
The Crimson Hawks were strong at the net defensively, recording 16 block assists compared to six for the Oilers. Service errors plagued both sides, with the teams combining for 27. IUP accounted for 15 of those errors.
The teams were even with 11 service aces and 44 assists apiece. IUP outhit Findlay for the match, posting a .263 hitting percentage compared to .213 for the Oilers.
IUP has little time to rest as it travels to Detroit for two matches Friday at the Warrior Invitational, hosted by Wayne State. The Crimson Hawks face Hillsdale at 12:15 p.m. before taking on Northwood at 4:45 p.m.
