The Point Park Pioneers volleyball team faced their first loss on home turf against the Washington & Jefferson (W&J) Presidents on Tuesday, Sept. 10 in the Student Center gym. The Presidents took home the win 3-0.
The Pioneers lost all three sets with the scores 25-23, 25-11 and 25-18. W&J came into the match with one win and six losses under their belt, this game bringing them to 2-6. Point Park left with a 0-5 record.
“You look at Point Park, they’re a phenomenal program, they have a wealth of depth in their offense and their defense,” Washington & Jefferson coach Lindsey Llewellyn said. “So for us to come in and compete well against a good team is really exciting for us.”
The Pioneers game leaders were Eden McElhaney with five kills and 11 digs, Patricia Calero Iriza with six blocks and Mia Arndt with two service aces.
For the first set, the Pioneers’ starting lineup included Mariah Perez, Giulia Follador, Eden McElhaney, Haley Stormer, Elise Wallace and Patricia Calero Iriza.
Point Park and W&J were at an even playing field throughout the first set, but at the last moment the Pioneers lost their momentum. The first set ended with the Presidents getting three consecutive points to edge past the Pioneers defense for a score of 25-23.
The Pioneers subbed in Rachele Tessari, Nadiushka Conde, Giulia Follador and Audrey Shull for the second set.
With the first set loss fresh in the players’ minds, the Pioneers came into the second set with desperate attempts to score. The Pioneers were down 5-4 when the Presidents took their lead and ran with it. The Pioneers didn’t get another point until late in the set, leaving the Pioneers with another lost set at 25-11.
For the third and final set, the Pioneers sub in Rachele Tessari, Mariah Perez, Mia Arndt, Ana Baruh Krstic , and Audrey Shull.
The Pioneers showed a promising start in the third set but once again fell after reaching their fourth point of the set. The Presidents climbed to 11-4 before the Pioneers scored again. The Pioneers made a valiant effort to come back as they were down 22-13, scoring four consecutive points. The Presidents ultimately swept the Pioneers with a score of 25-18 in the third set.
“I think we needed more grit,” Point Park starter Mariah Perez said. “I think we went out there and tried to give it all we got but honestly it just didn’t work in our favor.”
Although the match ended dimly for Point Park, the crowd and players on the sidelines showed up with a lot of support for both teams. With such a close court view, the audience was closely invested in the game and the outcome.
“Even though [the Pioneers] lost, they all seem like they have good teamwork,” first-year student Chloe Humway said.
The Pioneers competed in the Vulcan Invitational on Sept. 13-14 in California, Pennsylvania. They ended the weekend with a 2-1 record, earning their first win against Bloomsburg.
“We just gotta come in ready to work, get our mind right, get our tunnel vision,” Perez said. “Honestly, just focus on the goals we had at the beginning of the season and that’s to win.”
