Indiana, PA – Charleston women's volleyball traveled to Indiana, Pennsylvania, to compete in the IUP Invitational, facing Pitt-Johnstown and Indiana University of Pennsylvania. The Golden Eagles battled hard through both match ups but came away with two setbacks, falling 3–1 to Pitt-Johnstown before dropping a 3–0 decision to host IUP.
Game 1
The Basics:
Location: Kovalchick Convention & Athletic Complex
Score: 3-1 UPJ (25-9, 28-26, 17-25, 25-19)
Records: UC 5-4 (0-0 MEC), Pitt-Johnstown 6-2 (0-0 PSAC)
How it Happened:
Charleston opened play against the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown and fell 3–1 by scores of 25–9, 28–26, 17–25, and 25–19. Pitt-Johnstown came out hot in the opening set, racing to an 8–1 lead. UC briefly rallied to cut the deficit from 14–4 to 14–8, but the Mountain Cats held momentum and closed the set comfortably. The second set was much more competitive, with extended rallies and back-and-forth points all the way to the finish. Pitt edged it out, 28–26, to go up two sets.
Charleston answered in the third set with its best stretch of the match, leading wire to wire. A five-point run extended the margin from 19–14 to 23–14, giving UC control in a 25–17 win. In the fourth set, however, Pitt regained its footing. After the teams traded points early to 4–4, the Mountain Cats pulled ahead and never looked back, sealing the match with a 25–19 victory.
Offense: Kate Strong and Patrycia Majos, 11 kills each; Sophia Knowles, 4 aces
Defense: Sophia, 4 blocks; Kate Strong, 3 blocks; Chloe Burton, 35 assists; Chloe Fortner, 13 digs
Game 2
The Basics:
Location: Kovalchick Convention & Athletic Complex
Score: 3-0 IUP (25-21, 25-14, 25-20)
Records: UC 5-5 (0-0 MEC), IUP 6-2 (0-0 PSAC)
How it Happened:
Charleston's second match of day one in the IUP Invitational came against Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where the Crimson Hawks secured a 3–0 sweep with set scores of 25–21, 25–14, and 25–20. The opening set was a tight battle, tied at 11–11 before IUP strung together four straight points to go up 15–11. That run proved decisive as they held on to take the set by four. IUP carried that momentum into the second set, jumping out to a 4–0 lead. Charleston responded with a pair of points, including a kill from Abby Avila and an ace from Chloe Fortner, to tie it 4–4, but IUP answered again. A late three-point surge stretched the margin from 15–11 to 18–11, and the Crimson Hawks rolled to a 25–14 win. Charleston fought hard in the third set, tying the score at 11–11 and staying within reach until 14–15. At that point, IUP went on a five-point run to push the lead to 20–14. From there, they managed the gap and closed the match with a 25–20 decision.
Offense: Julie Michalkova, 6 kills; Divine Duo, 5 kills
Defense: Abby Avila, 3 blocks; Sophia Knowles, 2 blocks; Abby Avila, 19 assists; Julie Michalkova, 16 digs; Chloe Fortner, 12 digs
Up Next:
Charleston will stay in Indiana, Pennsylvania to take on day 2 of the IUP Tournament. They will face off at 11:00am against Shepherd University and Chestnut Hill College at 3:00pm.
