DETROIT, Mich. – It was a quick turnaround for the IUP women's volleyball team Friday, as the Crimson Hawks traveled more than 100 miles to Detroit following Thursday night's four-set match at Findlay to play their first two matches of the Wayne State Warrior Invitational.
IUP opened the day with a four-set loss to Hillsdale before responding with its first victory of the season, defeating Northwood in a five-set thriller in the nightcap.
Hillsdale 3, IUP 1
Despite the quick turnaround, the Crimson Hawks started fast against Hillsdale, taking the opening set convincingly, 25-16.
The Chargers responded by taking the next two sets by double-digit margins before the teams battled in a tightly contested fourth set. Neither side led by more than three points as IUP fought to extend the match.
The Crimson Hawks pulled even at 23 before Hillsdale scored the final two points to take the set, 25-23, and secure the match.
IUP finished with 55 kills compared to 43 for Hillsdale while also recording 50 assists and 54 digs. Delaney Concannon and Jessica Neiman paced the Crimson Hawks with 12 kills apiece. The total marked an early-season high for Concannon, while Neiman matched her 12-kill performance from the season opener against Findlay.
IUP 3, Northwood 2
The Crimson Hawks bounced back in the nightcap, using their best offensive performance of the young season to earn their first victory.
IUP recorded a season-high 73 kills in the five-set win, with Concannon building on her strong opening match by recording 17 kills. Charlotte Potvin matched Concannon with 17 kills of her own, while Kyra Schmidt and Sammy Stephens also reached double figures.
Potvin and Schmidt each finished one kill shy of their respective career highs, while Stephens surpassed her previous career best by eight kills.
The 73 kills marked the most in a match for IUP since second-year head coach Avery Moore took over the program.
The Crimson Hawks surpassed 70 kills twice last season, recording 71 in a four-set victory over PSAC champion East Stroudsburg in the Atlantic Region semifinals and 72 in a five-set road victory over Seton Hill to close the regular season.
Up Next
IUP will look to carry the momentum into Saturday as the Crimson Hawks close the Warrior Invitational with matches against Quincy and host Wayne State. First serve against Quincy is scheduled for 10 a.m.
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