IUP Opens Volleyball Season with Losses to Two National Powers in San Antonio, Texas

Central Missouri State Boxscore
Cameron Boxscore

IUP opened its 2007 volleyball season Friday against a pair of teams that combined to win 54 matches a year ago, and the Crimson Hawks dropped 3-0 decisions to Central Missouri State and Cameron (Okla.) at the Texas Med Clinic/St. Mary's Invitational in San Antonio, Texas.

IUP lost by scores of 30-18, 30-14, 30-15 to a Central Missouri State team that had a record of 29-7 in 2006 and advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16.  The Jennies opened this season ranked 12th in the American Volleyball Coaches Association national poll.

Maddie Schulte led the Crimson Hawks with nine kills and two blocks while Tessa Irwin had six kills and a block.  Emily McCombie had 24 assists and Emily Pany led the defense with 10 digs.

Tessa Siewert had 14 kills, four blocks and two service aces in IUP's 30-23, 30-21, 30-28 loss to Cameron in the nightcap.  The Aggies were 25-4 last year and just missed on a spot in the NCAA tournament.

Schulte had nine kills, Irwin had three blocks, one more than Sandy Rambow, and Pany contributed 15 digs.

IUP concludes play in the tournament on Saturday with matches against Arkansas-Monticello and host St. Mary's.