Pioneers battle division leader IU East in home loss

PITTSBURGH -- Point Park University volleyball battled RSC East Division leader Indiana University East but took a 3-0 loss to the Red Wolves on Saturday from the Student Center Gym. The Pioneers played close sets in the first and third in the loss of 25-22, 25-8, 25-22. 

IU East improved to 18-6 overall, 10-1 RSC with the victory. For Point Park, it was a weekend split coming off their home win over IUPUC on Friday night whereas IU East was off the night before. 

Point Park came out hot vrseus the divisional favorites taking a 13-7 lead in the first set. IU East came back to tie the score at 16-16, and the opening frame became a very tight battle. 

Eden McElhaney had a big kill to pull the Pioneers within 23-22 in the first, but a kill and an ace from Jessice Swimm gave the first set to the Red Wolves. 

The second set was all IU East, but the Pioneers rebounded to battle it out again the third. The score was tied at 11-11, and Point Park was later ahead, 17-15.That was after two straight kills from McElhaney and one more from Amanda Contois. 

The score went back and forth with the Pioneers taking their final lead of 22-21. IU East clinched the match getting the final four points. 

McElhaney and Contois led the Pioneers with nine kills each. That was 18 of the Pioneers' 31 total kills. IU East had 48 kills in the match with the margin in that area stretching out in the second set.

IU East had Swimm get a match-high 15 kills along with Brooke Lepper 10 and Teah Barrett-Matthews nine. 

Point Park's next matches are on the road Oct. 20 and 21 at Oakland City (Ind.) and Brescia (Ky.). the next home match is Oct. 24 versus Rio Grande (Ohio).