photos by Connor Hochbein
Junior outside hitter Shiloh Simonson awaits a serve
from Carlow University last Wednesday. The Pioneers
won the match 3-0.
Junior outside hitter Shiloh Simonson, prepares to spike the ball on Carlow University’s front line.
Senior outside hitter Isabella Vavrek gets ready to send a serve against Carlow University.
Point Park Volleyball went 4-0 this past week, sparking the team’s largest win streak of the season and boosting its overall record to 7-11.
Point Park played fellow Kentucky intercollegiate Athletuc Conference (KIAC) member Carlow University last Wednesday, sweeping them 3-0.
“We played the ball well when we were out of system which helped us achieve our wins,” said junior Megan Branchick. “We got good, hard swings on a lot of balls and kept the other team on their toes.”
Leading Point Park’s offense was Branchick with eight kills, and seven kills from both Isabella Vavrek and outside hitter Shiloh Simonson respectively. The defense was also a combined effort with junior Emily Meng who totaled 24 digs, and middle hitter Nikki Inquartano who racked up six blocks.
“I feel our team is now heading in the direction that we want it to go,” said Simonson. “I am fully confident that we can meet and even surpass what we accomplished last year.”
The Pioneers also defeated KIAC team IU Southeast 3-2. This match served as a quasi rematch of the 2014 KIAC Tournament championship.
“Winning against IU southeast was very rewarding,” Branchick said. “We have to establish that we are ready for them again this year in the finals.”
Vavrek recorded 17 kills and 11 digs against IU Southeast. Simonson and Paige Baker aided with 18 and 31 digs, respectively. With 34 assists from the Pioneers setter Meng, and Branchick’s nine kills, the team was able to keep the match in its hands.
“Beating Southeast was a great feeling,” Simonson said. “It gave us the right to be confident again.”
On Sat. Sept. 19, the Pioneers played Cincinnati Christian and Brescia with scores of 3-0 and 3-1 respectively in favor of Point Park.
Simonson said the Pioneers may have started the season slow, but they are working to improve.
“I don’t think we did anything differently,” Simonson said. “We had a really slow start to the season and we struggled a lot, but no one gave up, and we all toughed it out and something finally clicked. We all bought in to what we are trying to accomplish this season, and it turned our entire team around.”
Branchick also thinks the team is back on track for the rest of the season.
“We got a long way till the end of the season and the ultimate goal is to be number one in the KIAC,” Branchick said.
Next up for the Pioneers: Ohio Christian and Midway College on Friday Oct. 2 at the Point Park student center gym.
Maybe the team’s dance parties prior to games will help to continue their new win streak.
“Before each game we definitely like to dance,” Branchick said of their pre-game ritual. “It’s a good warm up and relaxes our nerves.”
