Point Park women’s volleyball played three matches this week, giving them a new record of 12-15 with ten games until the conference tournament.
“For these next ten games we have to focus on defense first,” said Junior Megan Branchick. “Keeping the ball off the floor is a must.”
The Pioneers played a home game against West Virginia Tech on Tuesday, ending the match with scores of 25-23, 25-10 and 25-16 in favor of Point Park. This is the seventh Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (KIAC) win for the team.
Point Park’s Branchick and Shiloh Simonson came in with a total of seven kills, and outside hitter Isabella Vavrek added five kills with eight attempts. Leading the team was libero Paige Baker, who had a matchhigh of 18 digs with help from Vavrek and Morgan Dangelo with 12 digs each.
Vavrek thinks the team flourishes on their home court.
“I think there is definitely a better atmosphere when we are on our home court,” Vavrek, a senior at Point Park said. “We are more comfortable and thrive more off of the fans energy.”
The Pioneers also played two matches over the weekend against Indiana University (IU) Kokomo and Bethel College. The team lost both matches 3-0.
Versus fellow KIAC team IU Kokomo, Point Park came up short with scores of 25-15, 25-20 and 25-18. IUK earned the spot for the top team in the KIAC, and made the match the “KIAC Game of the Week.”
“Losing to Kokomo was so upsetting because we had the opportunity to gain the position of number one in the KIAC,” Branchick said. “We have all the talent to beat them we just didn’t put it all together on game day.”
Branchick and Vavrek both held the team high of six kills each, and Simonson added five with 14 digs. Nikki Inquartano scored nine points and had five blocks as well as four kills.
Unfortunately for the Pioneers, their hard work came up short, and they dropped to fifth place in the conference.
“Our team really needs to bring heart into the game,” Vavrek said with disappointment. “We have to play relentlessly and together as a whole.”
Point Park later played Bethel College in the tri-match at IU Kokomo, ending with scores of 25-25, 25-9 and 25-19 giving Bethel the win.
Leading the team for the Pioneers was Branchick with eight kills, Inquartano with five. Aiding their teammates, Simonson and junior outside hitter Emily Meng racked up four kills each and Baker added up 13 digs.
“This season has been very disappointing,” Vavrek said. “We have done a better job during the middle of the season by coming back and finally coming together as a team and winning a lot of games, however, our start of the season left a lot to be desired.”
Point Park plays another home match at the Student Center Gym Tuesday night against West Virginia Wesleyan. Its next conference match and final home match is Oct. 29 against Rio Grande.
The Pioneers are still hopeful for the end of their season.
“Winning conference and going to nationals again is what we consider getting the job done,” Branchick said. “Anything less is unacceptable.”
