The Point Park volleyball team was in a road battle against 14th ranked Georgetown College (KY), but was battling more than just injuries and a three match losing streak. Ultimately, some negative remarks made by the opposition and an emotional Pioneer team resulted in a five set victory.

“During the match, the Georgetown coach said some words about our team and the refs that got coach Bruno heated,” freshman right side/outside hitter Ashley Taylor said. “He got us fired up, and the relentlessness our team came out with was unbelievable. After the win, Coach Bruno cried and it got me emotional. We have his back and always will. That’s what this team is about.”

The victory was the 15th of the season and junior setter Cara Bradley noted the importance of the win.

“It was a huge win for us with them being ranked and with two NAIA raters being at the match,” Bradley said. “We definitely grew as a team just from adjusting to the injuries and fighting through two really tough five set matches. There were a lot of components that made that match personal for us and coming out on top was the best feeling in the world for us. I think that game is going the set the tone for the rest of our season.”

Throughout the weekend Point Park was short-handed as it was already without freshman outside hitter Kristi Chenarides due to injury, but junior outside hitter/defensive specialist Isabella Vavrek got injured during the team’s five set loss to Indiana University East on Thursday. The loss to IU East was the first conference loss and one Bradley referred to as a “wake up call.”

As a result of the injuries, the Pioneers were without their two top outside hitter options and someone else had to fill in that role for the remainder of the weekend. On Friday, both senior defensive specialist Olivia Fisher and freshman defensive specialist Tabea Dalliard were inserted into the position, but the team lost the match in four sets.

Saturday, Point Park went in a different direction as Bradley started both matches which were against Taylor University and Georgetown. Bradley, a setter, had to get acclimated to playing a new position.

“That was the first time I’ve ever played outside, but I love hitting and I do it a lot in the summer when I play outdoors, so I was really excited,” Bradley said. “The only real adjustment I had to make was learning the different defensive assignments for passing and blocking because playing on the opposite side of the court is different and was super weird for me at first.”

The Pioneers fell in five sets to Taylor. Bradley’s outside hitter was a success as she had ten kills and the second best attack percentage on the team.

“I just got more comfortable with it,” Bradley said. “The whole day I just went in trying to be super aggressive and have fun with it because that’s what coach told me to do. I never get a chance to swing, so I wanted to take advantage of the opportunity and do my best.”

Up next was the road trip finale against Georgetown which earlier in the day defeated Taylor 3-0. Point Park put aside all its hardships in a five set victory. It trailed 2-1 but won the fourth set 29-27 to tie the match, needing more than the 25 points it takes to win the game, and then took the fifth 15-13 to win the match.

Taylor, who had a team-leading 15 kills, was happy that her team persevered and finished strong to end the weekend.

“Honestly, this weekend showed the true colors of my team. We proved to each other that no matter how hard the team, we will be able to fight through it,” Taylor said. “The injuries put a dent in our team but we have very well rounded players and played for each other and our coaches. That’s all we need.”

Next up for the Pioneers is its annual flight to Clearwater, Fla. for the Clearwater Christian Tournament, which will be played Friday and Saturday, Oct. 10-11. Taylor believes that the expectations will be high.

“The same relentlessness needs to be used,” Taylor said. “We need to play to our level and above, not play down to other team’s levels. We know we are good and all we have to do is play at our best and it’s going to be a very fun and successful trip.”