Pioneers come up short in two matches during road trip to Indiana

Point Park University volleyball traveled to Indiana this weekend to take on the two leading teams in the River States Conference West Division. The Pioneers fell in both matches 3-0 Friday night at St. Mary-of-the-Woods (Ind.) and also Saturday at No. 21 Indiana Kokomo. 

Point Park was engaged in a tight first set in both matches. The home sides came up with wins in both of those to gain the momentum and carry on to victory. The wins improve SMWC to 17-2 overall, 5-1 RSC, and No. 21 IU Kokomo moved to 16-3, 7-0 RSC. 

Point Park took a 13-8 lead over SMWC in the first set. The Pioneers were still up five at 18-13 later in the set, but the Pomeroys battled back to tie the score at 20-20. Another tie of 22-22 occurred before SMWC got the final three points of the set for a 25-22 win. 

For the match, Giulia Follador turned in a team-high 14 kills, and Amanda Contois had seven. Kenzie Zauner came up with 14 digs, and Ashlynn Gulakowki recorded 17 assists. 

Versus No. 21 IU Kokomo, Point Park was down 12-6 in the first set. The Pioneers were hanging in within 23-18 on kills by Mariah Perez and Haley Stormer. The Cougars pulled out the set 25-19 to start the sweep. Point Park had 14 kills that first set compared to 15 for IU Kokomo. The Cougars kept up the attack with double-digit kills in the second and third with Point Park not able to keep pace. 

Point Park's digs leaders for the match were Eden McElhaney, Lily Marchand and Zauner with nine each. Contois led with seven kills while McElhaney and Perez getting six each. 

The Pioneers have three home matches this coming week, which starts with a non-conference matchup with Pitt-Johnstown on Tuesday, Oct. 3. Point Park hosts IU Southeast on Friday, Oct. 6 and Midway (Ky.) on Saturday, Oct. 7.