INDIANA, Pa. — IUP defeated the Golden Eagle volleyball team (9-11, 3-4 PSAC) in four sets at the Kovalchick Convention & Athletic Complex on Saturday, winning 3-1 (22-25, 25-21, 26-24, 25-22). Clarion notched 11 total blocks in a tightly contested match but could not top the reigning Atlantic Region champions on the road.
Clarion began the first set by capitalizing on early errors from the Crimson Hawks, quickly taking a 2-0 lead with a block from
Natalie Karrick and
Finley Kearney. The Crimson Hawks responded with a series of kills, bringing the score to a 5-5 tie.
Claire Bickett's offensive efforts helped Clarion maintain the pressure, keeping the set closely contested.
As the set progressed, the Golden Eagles capitalized on IUP's attack errors to regain control. A crucial block by
Julia Rodriguez and
Karlee Berchtold tied the set at 14-14. Clarion then edged ahead, with Bickett and Karrick contributing key kills, pushing the lead to 20-19.
In the final moments, Clarion managed to string together crucial points. Bickett's performance helped the Golden Eagles secure a 25-22 victory to close the set.
Close sets would be the norm the rest of the way, with the Crimson Hawks winning three tight games to pick up the win.
In the second set, Clarion began with a strong effort to level the score, highlighted by a series of kills from Bickett, who was instrumental in matching the Crimson Hawks point for point early on. Despite the back-and-forth nature of the set, the Golden Eagles faced challenges as IUP capitalized on some errors, allowing them to extend their lead. Clarion cut down the deficit late in the set, pulling to within 23-20 before the Crimson Hawks put it away.
In the closing stages of the third set, Clarion pushed ahead to 24-21 with a service ace from
Haley Fledderjohann and a kill by Bickett. The Golden Eagles weren't able to put away the Crimson Hawks, who rallied with a late surge and ultimately won the set 26-24.
IUP ultimately won the match with a 25-22 win in the fourth set.
Bickett led Clarion with 15 kills on 40 attempts, achieving a .275 hitting percentage and contributing 16 points.
Raegan Stader added 11 kills and matched the team-high with 12 digs over three games. Rodriguez made a defensive impact, participating in eight block assists, the most on the team.
