Point Park volleyball went 2-2 in the Battle of the Boulevard tournament this past weekend, improving its overall record to 2-10.
“The first win of the season felt like this huge weight was lifted off our shoulders,” said junior Shiloh Simonson. “It was a long time coming and I think everyone was proud of our performance that match.”
The first day of the tournament gave the Pioneers their first win of the season — which came against West Liberty, but they lost their first match of the tournament versus Indiana University East.
Outside hitter Simonson believes the team has gained the confidence they need to achieve more victories.
“I think those two wins will raise our confidence because now the standard is set,” Simonson said. “We know what we need to do to be successful and we know that it’s achievable.”
Senior Christiane Chaves plated her best game statistically this season against West Liberty with 11 kills, eight digs, and three blocks. With help from Simonson’s 16 digs and six kills and fellow senior Isabella Vavrek’s nine kills, Point Park was able to take the win with scores of 28-26, 25-23 and 25-19.
Chaves does not credit her personal success to just herself.
“I was very focused and confident during that game,” Chaves said. “I was very happy that I helped my team in that win, but that was only one game. I [have to] be focused and confident in every game. I also did not achieve such great results by myself; that was a result of good sets, good first contacts, and very good digs that the whole team put together.”
The second day of the tournament brought similar results for the Pioneers with one 3-2 loss to Taylor University and a 3-1 win against Lawrence Tech.
The match against Lawrence Tech was the second win for Point Park volleyball this season.
“I think playing on our home court and having the advantage of our family, friends, and classmates there to support us gave us that little push we needed to go and get those first two wins,” Simonson said.
In the loss to Taylor University, the team gave a great effort, with Chaves and Simonson bringing in 12 and 11 kills respectively, and five players reaching at least 10 digs on defense. Unfortunately, the Pioneers lost the match with close scores of 22-25, 18-25, 25-21, 25-22 and 16-14.
Outside hitter Vavrek has a bright outlook on how the season will continue to go after the team picked up a pair of victories this past weekend.
“I think that these two wins will definitely raise the overall confidence of the team,” Vavrek said. “I think that it already has and not in a negative way. I think that we will finally start believing in ourselves and bring the passion and the love of the game back. I already felt it during our Saturday matches.”
The Pioneers next match is scheduled for Sept. 8 against West Virginia Wesleyan.
