Point Park defeated Indiana University East 3-1 and Indiana University Kokomo 3-1 Friday and Saturday respectively.

Outside hitter Shiloh Simonson collected her 1,000th career kill as a Pioneer on the second play of the match against Indiana University East on Friday.

“I’m just honored because I know only a few select girls have gotten that [1,000 kills],” Simonson said. “I’m grateful that I’ve had this opportunity.”

Simonson is now the fifth member of the 1,000 kills club at Point Park. Simonson contributed a total of 11 kills Friday night to help Point Park pick up its first conference win of the season.

Point Park and Indiana University East went back and forth in set one, exchanging point after point. Neither team led by more than four in the first set. Towards the end of set one, Point Park gained all the momentum after a kill from setter Emily Meng that would give Point Park a 24-21 lead. After a Meng service error and couple of IU East kills, the match was knotted up at 24. IU East would come from behind in set one to win it by a final score of 27-25.

After failing to close out set one, Point Park came out firing in set two. Point Park got out to a 12-0 lead to begin the set. The run was conducted by Simonson and her powerful jump serve. IU East would not go quietly and they fought back but they never came within three points of Point Park and the Pioneers took set two 25-19.

In sets three and four, it was all Point Park. The Pioneers never trailed for the remainder of the match. They won both sets by the same scores, 25-19.

Freshman outside hitter Madeline Poirier hit .400 for the match and collected 7 kills. The conference leader in blocks, Nikki Inquartano, added seven blocks to her total to go along with five kills. Meng dished out 36 assists to her hitters.

But it was Simonson’s night as she collected 11 kills, three blocks and three aces.

“She’s just a great all-around player,” said head coach Mike Bruno. “She’s your typical outside that can pretty much do it all. She passes all six rotations. She’s got a heavy arm from the end line and a heavy jump serve.”

There was no time to rest for Point Park as the Pioneers had to be back in the gym the following day for a rematch of last year’s conference championship against Indiana University Kokomo.

IU Kokomo was picked number one in the Preseason Coaches’ Poll in August and was favored to win the River States Conference for the second straight year. This match was selected as the River States Conference Game of the Week.

Just like it did Friday, Point Park dropped the first set to IU Kokomo 25-19. The entire match was close with the two teams exchanging points, but Point Park stayed consistent and won the next two sets by the scores 25-21 and 25-22.

IU Kokomo got out to an early 12-6 lead in set four. But Point Park came right back to tie it up at 15. With the Pioneers leading 19-18, Simonson continued her stellar weekend with a huge kill from the outside to give Point Park momentum. Point Park would finish off IU Kokomo 25-22 and complete the upset.

Madeline Poirier recorded a team-high 11 kills, including one that went down for match point. Ashley Taylor contributed with 10 kills, five blocks and 17 digs. Simonson added nine kills, 10 digs and two aces to help Point Park win its first two conference matches of the year.

Point Park has now won five of its last seven matches and is now 6-12 with a 2-0 conference record. The Pioneers’ next match is Tuesday, Sept. 20, when they play fellow conference opponent Carlow in the student center gym at 7 p.m.