Point Park volleyball freshman libero Tabea Dalliard toed the service line a point away from the Pioneers losing its National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Tournament Opening Round match to 15th ranked Georgetown College.

Her serve would hit the net for a service error which ended the match and playing careers of Olivia Fisher, Roxanne Grundmeier and Kelsey Veydt.

“It just didn’t seem real, especially because it wasn’t the way I pictured it ending,” Veydt said. “To be honest, it still hasn’t sunk in yet and I’m not sure when it really will.”

Dalliard agreed.

“I was more disappointed by the way the team played because if we would have played our best and lost I wouldn’t be so disappointed,” Dalliard said.

Point Park, which made its second ever NAIA Tournament Opening Round fell, 3-0 to see its 27-16 season come to an end.

“We had our ups and downs this season but no matter what bumps we hit along the road, we always bounced back,” Veydt said. “Getting into nationals proved how hard we worked; it took the whole team pushing each other to be better. Getting into that match represented our hard work and determination.”

Understandably, the loss for Veydt was a hard pill to swallow but instead it was the way her team played that disappointed her more.

Point Park’s highest total attack percentage was .000, which meant the Pioneers had as many kills as errors. In total, two Pioneers, Olivia Fisher and Cristiane Chaves had a positive total attack percentage.

“The outcome doesn’t always show how well a team plays because someone always has to lose,” Veydt said. “Unfortunately we didn’t lose because we played hard and they were the better team, instead we beat ourselves that’s just the hardest thing to accept.”

Prior to the contest, the two teams met for a banquet, something which is an NAIA custom. Following a brunch, both Point Park coach Mike Bruno and Georgetown coach Nick Griffin spoke about their respective teams and both rewarded one player a NAIA Champions of Character award. Veydt was the Pioneers’ representative

“Knowing that my coaches see me in such a way to receive the award is such an amazing feeling,” Veydt said. “Coach brought tears to my eyes when he gave his speech and then recognized me with the award. I’ll never forget that moment and the love from my coaches and teammates. It’s really special to me.”

The 27-16 had its share of peaks and valleys. The Pioneers lost six matches early in the season before winning 11 consecutive games. Then later in the season, Point Park won eight matches before dropping five of its last seven matches at season’s end.

Outside hitter Simonson believes that despite these inconsistencies that it was a great accomplishment to go as far as the team did.

“We had our rough patches, but looking at what we have accomplished this year, it’s hard to be fully disappointed,” Simonson said.

Dalliard believes the team’s closeness was what helped them have a successful season.

“Everyone helps each other out and how the team stays positive and always wants to see. This team is like having 15 sisters,” Dalliard said.

She also believes the bar should be raised in regards to expectations for next season.

“We should definitely go to Nationals and be better than this year,” Dalliard said.