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Photo by Gracey Evans

Freshman outside hitter, Madeline Poirier, and senior middle hitter, Nikki Inquartano, protect the net from a set from Lawrence Tech.

Their first match was on Friday morning against Lawrence Tech (Mich.). Point Park won the first set 26-24 but fell in the next three sets 25-23, 25-14 and 26-24.

Senior setter Emily Meng almost posted a triple-double recording 22 assists, seven kills and 10 digs. Outside hitter Shiloh Simonson registered eight kills. On defense, sophomore libero Morgan Dangelo led the way with 16 digs and middle blocker Nikki Inquartano had six blocks.

In match No. 2, Point Park faced Sienna Heights. Behind Ashley Taylor and Madeline Poirier’s 16 combined kills, Point Park was able to cruise to a 3-0 set sweep. The results of these three sets were 26-16, 25-20 and 25-20. After sitting out last season, Point Park got to see the impact Ashley Taylor can make on the court.

“We’ve been working hard,” Taylor said. “And only with 11 girls, technically nine since two are out right now, it’s very dynamic for us and we just need to push harder.”

Point Park had to come from behind in two of the three sets against Sienna Heights. Meng kept her squad relaxed and focused despite facing a few five, six, or seven point deficits.

“I try to make sure everyone is loose and reset after every point so that we’re all on the same page and not stressing out,” Meng said, who tallied 23 assists, four kills and eight digs in the 3-0 win over Sienna Heights.

Point Park returned to the court Saturday morning for a rematch against Montreat (N.C.). Montreat beat Point Park at home on Aug. 19 in a tight 3-2 match. Point Park sought revenge on its home court. The Pioneers

set the tone early against the Cavaliers winning set one 25-13. Set number two and three were closer, but the Pioneers came out on top both times 25-19 and 25-15.

Point Park was strong from the service line as they recorded 15 total aces as a team. Five of those were from the deep float serving middle blocker Nikki Inquartano. Inquartano was all over the court in this match, adding six kills and a block to her stats.

“I’m just staying focused and keeping a goal,” Inquartano said. “My goal this year is to be top 10 in the NAIA.”

Other numbers for the match include Shiloh Simonson leading the way in kills with nine. Freshman outside hitter Poirier hit .364 for the match, and Point Park hit .266 as a team.

In the final match of the Battle of the Boulevard, Point Park played fellow River State Conference opponent Rio Grande. Although they are conference opponents, this match did not count towards their conference for records for both teams.

Point Park couldn’t keep up with Rio Grande in the final match of the Battle of the Boulevard. Rio Grande won by the set scores 25-20, 19-25, 25-22 and 25-20.

Simonson had a huge game for Point Park, recording 13 kills and 11 digs. Meng dished out 24 assists and tallied 11 digs. Taylor added eight kills and hit .316 for the match. At the net, Inquartano came up with seven blocks.