IUP women’s Volleyball Dominates Shepherd in PSAC Tournament Opener
INDIANA, Pa. – Indiana university of Pennsylvania (IUP) decisively defeated Shepherd University in straight sets Tuesday night, securing a 25-16, 25-20, 25-11 victory in the first round of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Tournament. The match, held at the Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex, showcased IUP’s powerful offence and strong defensive play.
This win propels the Crimson Hawks (20-7) into the PSAC quarterfinals as they aim to defend thier conference championship title and continue their pursuit of a repeat performance. The tournament outcome directly impacts the teams vying for an automatic bid to the NCAA Division II Volleyball Championship, with each victory bringing IUP closer to that goal.
Delaney Concannon spearheaded IUP’s attack,delivering a well-rounded performance with 12 kills,17 digs,and three aces. Teammates Jessica Neiman and Kyra Schmidt also contributed substantially, recording 11 and 13 kills respectively, alongside a combined seven aces. Setter Ellie Rauch orchestrated the offense effectively, distributing 36 assists and adding 14 digs to the Hawks’ defensive effort.
IUP seized control from the outset, establishing a 5-1 lead in the first set and maintaining momentum throughout. The Crimson Hawks’ balanced attack and consistent play proved too much for Shepherd to overcome. In the final set, a nine-point surge fueled by Rauch’s serving and key kills from Concannon and Neiman sealed the victory.
Shepherd (19-10) was lead by Sophia Ryan and Amya Davis, each with six kills, but the Rams struggled offensively, hitting just .116 as a team. IUP’s dominant performance included out-digging Shepherd 49-36 and hitting .330 overall.
