IUP Advances to Semifinals of NCAA Atlantic Regional with 3-0 Win over Mount Olive

Complete boxscore

The IUP volleyball team advanced to the semifinals of the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional for the fourth consecutive year with a 3-0 victory over Mount Olive in a quarterfinal match at Thomas Field House.

IUP won by scores of 30-28, 30-20, 30-25 to improve to 27-10 on the season.

The Indians are seeking their first Atlantic Region title and berth in the Elite Eight.  IUP, the No. 3 seed in the eight-team field, will take on second seed California in the first semifinal Friday evening at 5:00.  The Vulcans posted a 3-1 win over St. Andrews Presbyterian in their quarterfinal match.

Brittany Gates led IUP with 17 kills and five blocks and posted a hitting percentage of .517 as the Indians defeated the Trojans (24-13) for the second time this season.  Michelle Jones added 10 kills while Trisha Gerus recorded eight.

Lacey George handed out 44 assists and made seven digs.  Sarah Rosenberry led defense with 15 digs.  Marcy Stutzman, Amy Badorf and Heather Bauer each had five kills, with Badorf adding three blocks.

As a team, IUP had 55 kills against only 12 errors for a hitting percentage of .391.  The Indians had eight blocks to help limit Mount Olive to a hitting percentage of just .181.

A win over California on Friday will move IUP into the championship match for the third time in the past four years.  The Indians lost in the finals in both 2001 and 2002.  The final is scheduled for Saturday at 3:00.