Volleyball Drops Two Matches to End IUP Tournament 09/01/07...After splitting matches on Friday, Head Coach Linda Renzi's Lady Cat volleyball team suffered three-games-to-none losses on Saturday to Adelphi (NY) University and to the host school to finish the 2007 IUP Crimson Hawk/Best Western Invitational. The Lady Cats are now 1-3. Pitt Johnstown began Saturday's action with a 28-30, 22-30, 18-30 loss to Adelphi. Junior middle hitter Kristin Irwin (Bellefonte, Pa.) had seven kills, two assists and a block solo to lead the Lady Cats. Sophomore outside hitter Abby Gearhart (Elton, Pa.) added six kills and seven digs, and sophomore outside hitter Nicole Houser (Penn Run, Pa.) had five kills. Coach Renzi also got 17 set assists from junior Merissa Larrew (Irwin, Pa.) and 12 digs from junior defensive specialist Katie Shadron (Ligonier, Pa.). The Lady Cats then suffered a 15-30, 23-30, 16-30 loss to IUP to end the tournament. Irwin and Gearhart each collected six kills. Larrew had 15 set assists and Shadron had six digs. In Friday's opener, the Lady Cats dealt Salem International a 30-22, 30-18 31-29 loss. Irwin led Pitt Johnstown with team-highs of 10 kills and two block asssists. Sophomore outside hitter Gearhart added eight assists and five digs, while sophomore outside hitter Kelly Miller (Stoystown, Pa.) had seven kills and four digs. Junior Larrew and freshman Taylor King (York, Pa.) chipped in 18 and 16 set assists, respectively in the victory. Pitt Johnstown followed Friday's victory with a tough, 25-30, 26-30, 20-30 setback to Georgian Court. Sophomore middle hitter Megan Lasut (Central City, Pa.) paced Pitt Johnstown with six kills, while Larrew collected 13 more set assists, and sophomore defensive specialist Kim Shubra (Penn Run, Pa.) had six digs. The Lady Cats will make their 2007 home debut and play their first WVIAC conference match on Tuesday against Fairmont State (WV) University at 7:00 p.m. in the Sports Center.
