Edinboro, Pa. - The Edinboro University volleyball team fell short and were defeated in four sets (22-25, 25-21, 17-25, 24-26) by Indiana University of Pennsylvania, in a PSAC West match up on Saturday afternoon at the Kovalchick Convention Center in Indiana, PA. With the loss the Fighting Scots fall to (18-4) overall and (10-2) in the PSAC West. The Crimson Hawks improve to (14-13) overall and (5-7) in conference play.
On the offensive attack for Edinboro, senior Sally Sterkel led the way with nine kills, sophomore Natalie Pallone contributed eight, and junior Jessie Michel added seven
Senior Alicia Eldredge found success in setting up her teammates, she posted 29 assists
Junior Bella Burrelli finished with three aces, while sophomore Emelia Rowell and freshman Abigale Soboleski each contributed two
On the defensive side Eldredge and Burrelli paced Edinboro with 11 digs each, while Sterkel and freshman Michaella Cloonan each recorded four blocks
In the opening set of the match, IUP came out of the gates quickly and won the first set 22-25. Immediately IUP jumped out to an early lead of 4-1. Midway through the set Edinboro went on a 5-1 run to grab a 14-12 lead. Late in the first set, A kill by Burrelli that was assisted by Eldredge tied the game at 20-20. The opening set consisted of 11 ties and four lead changes. Ultimately, IUP would end the set on a 5-2 run and won 22-25.
In the second set Edinboro responded and evened the match by winning the set 25-21. Edinboro started the set by catching fire and gaining a 5-1 lead off Burrelli's service and kills by Cloonan, Pallone, and Michel. Later in the set the game was tied at 18-18, when Edinboro scored four-straight points off Soboleski's service. Edinboro was the most effective on the offensive attack in the second set. The Scots recorded 15 kills and hit at an efficient .357 percentage. The final point of the set came from a service error by IUP, Edinboro won the set 25-21.
In the third set IUP regained the momentum and won the set 17-25. IUP came out of the gates quickly in the third set and was up 5-1. Edinboro would respond along with kills by Burrelli and Cloonan to cut the lead 5-6. Later, back-to-back kills by Eldredge tied things up at 8-8. Towards the end of the set, IUP went on a 10-4 run. IUP proceeded to win the third set 17-25.
The fourth set was a battle between the two PSAC West schools, ultimately IUP won the set 24-26. Early in the set, a kill by Sterkel that was assisted by Eldredge put the Scots up 8-7. Later in the set Edinboro went on a 6-1 run that was fueled by kills from Michel and Pallone, as well as aces from freshman Carly Pry and Rowell. The run allowed Edinboro to jump ahead with a lead of 17-14. The fourth set consisted of 11 ties, and six lead changes. On the verge of defeat, Edinboro scored three-straight to tie the set at 24-24. Ultimately, IUP scored the next two points to conclude the set 24-26.
Edinboro will be back in action on Friday, Nov. 5, at McComb Fieldhouse when they host Gannon University at 6 p.m.
