IUP Drops Thriller to Lock Haven in PSAC West Opener

Boxscore

IUP battled nationally ranked Lock Haven to the fifth game but fell short in a 3-2 loss to the Lady Eagles Tuesday night at Memorial Field House.  The match was the PSAC West opener for both teams.

The match was originally scheduled to be played at Lock Haven, but a facility conflict moved the contest to IUP.  The teams will square off again in Lock Haven on October 11.

Lock Haven entered the match ranked 22nd in the American Volleyball Coaches Association national poll.

IUP rallied from 1-0 and 2-1 deficits to tie the match twice before losing by scores of 30-24, 25-30, 30-17, 26-30, 15-7.  Lock Haven is the two-time defending PSAC and Atlantic Region champions.

Reigning PSAC West Player of the Week Brittany Gates led the way for IUP, registering 19 kills, a hitting percentage of .500 and eight blocks.  Michelle Jones chipped in with 10 kills and Jill Bixler had eight kills, 20 digs and two blocks.

Trisha Gerus had seven kills and five blocks, and Heather Bauer also contributed five blocks.  Alicia Koches handed out 42 assists while making three blocks and seven digs.

Also recording double figures in digs were Krista Nordby with 18 and Jackie Bishop with 13.

Li YiZhi, the 2004 PSAC West Player of the Year, paced Lock Haven with 16 kills and 18 digs.

IUP plays a non-conference match at Seton Hill on Thursday and returns to PSAC action at home on Saturday against Slippery Rock.  Both those matches get under way at 7 p.m.