PITTSBURGH – Despite three of the four sets being decided by just two points, Point Park dropped a 3-1 final to California (PA) on Tuesday night in its home opener at the Student Center.
The teams split the first two sets with Cal taking the first set 30-28 and Point Park winning set two by a 25-19 final. Cal then took the final two sets by scores of 27-25 and 29-27.
Statistically, Cal U outhit Point Park .241 to .191, while both teams recorded 12 blocks apiece. Point Park held an 11-3 advantage in aces.
Point Park had three hitters record double-figure kills, led by 19 apiece from
Alex Koontz and
Nicole Reasbeck.
Avery Budrys Rini drove home 15 kills. Reasbeck and
Patricia Calero-Irizarry each recorded six blocks apiece around the net.
From her setter position,
Marianna Oyola-Rivera passed out 49 assists while recording a team-high five aces.
Five Pioneers had double-digit digs in the match, led by 15 from Reasbeck, 12 from Oyola-Rivera, and 11 from
Lily Marchand. Koontz and Budrys Rini also recorded 10 digs apiece in the match.
Cal was led in the match by 17 kills and 16 digs from Olivia Weiseman. Sarah Stephenson had 15 kills and five blocks, while Ava Norfolk finished the evening with 11 kills and a team-high six blocks.
Point Park will now be idle until Tuesday, Sept. 23, when the Pioneers hit the road for a non-conference match against Seton Hill. First serve is slated for 6 p.m.
