IUP Splits Four Matches at Capital City Classic

IUP-Mars Hill Boxscore
IUP-Rockhurst Boxscore
IUP-Northern Kentucky Boxscore
IUP-West Virginia State Boxscore

IUP split four matches at the Capital City Classic in Charleston, W.Va., to enter PSAC West play with an overall record of 10-2.

The Indians posted 3-0 wins over Mars Hill and West Virginia State but dropped a 3-0 decision to Rockhurst and fell by a score of 3-1 to Northern Kentucky.

The tournament began for IUP with a 30-11, 30-15, 30-17 win over Mars Hill on Friday.  Jill Bixler had nine kills, Brittany Gates had eight kills and five blocks, and Amanda Dawson and Trisha Gerus both had seven kills, with Gerus adding seven blocks.

Alicia Koches handed out 44 assists and made six digs.  Krista Nordby registered 24 digs, and Heather Bauer recorded three blocks.

Later Friday evening, IUP lost for the first time this season, a 31-29, 30-25, 30-27 defeat to Rockhurst, ranked 22nd in the nation in the latest American Volleyball Coaches Association poll.

Michelle Jones had 14 kills for IUP, followed by Bixler (12), Gates (nine), Gerus (eight) and Bauer (six). 

Koches had 42 assists and eight digs.  Leading the defensive effort in digs were Nordby (21), Bixler (17) and Carri Cole (14).

IUP dropped its second straight match, a 30-28, 25-30, 30-28, 30-11 verdict against Northern Kentucky.  Gates led the way for the Indians with 14 kills and four blocks.  Gerus had 11 kills, and Bauer and Dawson both had eight.  Bauer also had four blocks.

Koches had 41 assists and 11 digs.  Also posting double digits in digs were Nordby (23), Cole and Jackie Bishop (13) and Bixler (12).

IUP got back on the winning track in the tournament finale with a 30-28, 30-22, 30-17 win over West Virginia State behind 13 kills and five blocks by Gates.

Jones had nine kills, Gerus had seven and Bauer and Bixler both had six.  Gerus also posted seven blocks and Bauer had three.  Koches dished out 40 assists and had seven digs.

Nordby had 16 digs while Cole and Bixler had 12 each.

IUP opens its PSAC West schedule on Tuesday at Memorial Field House against 21st ranked Lock Haven.  The match was originally set for Lock Haven, but a facility conflict moved the match to Indiana.

The teams will play at Lock Haven on October 11.