Pioneers Defeat Florida State College of Jacksonville and Florida Gateway College to Remain Undefeated

 The Indian River women's volleyball team notched its second and third victories of the season at a tri-match hosted by Florida State College of Jacksonville Friday.

 In their first match of the day, the Pioneers outlasted FSCJ, 3-2, saving their best play for the decisive fifth set. It was a back and forth battle in which the teams traded set wins for the first four sets, until IRSC ultimately prevailed 15-7 in game five.

Lindsay Glynn, a sophomore Opposite Hitter, led the charge in attack against the Blue Wave, burying 14 kills and posting a .206 hitting percentage, while contributing a crucial block in the fifth and final set.

Sophomore Outside Hitter Jenna Erwin tallied 12 kills of her own, while Freshman Outside hitter Ayannah Henry chipped in 9 kills in 25 attempts. Freshman Setters Jada Bivins and Erin Ergle combined for 44 assists in the match.

Led defensively by Sophomore Libero Rebecca Sills with 20 digs, the Pioneers were able to rack up over 100 digs as a team (102) for the second time in three matches; getting significant defensive contributions from several players. Bivins recorded 13 digs, while Erwin contributed 12, Glynn totaled 11, and Sophomore DS Taylor Leander produced 10. Even Sophomore Middle Blocker Brittany Beckelheimer got in on the act, racking up 8 digs of her own.

As of Friday, the Pioneers sat ranked atop the nation in team digs

In their second match of the day, the Pioneers swept Florida Gateway college 3-0 (25-21, 25-16, 25-17). Sophomore Outside Hitter McKenna Tyson led IRSC with 10 kills while hitting at an excellent .474 clip. Sophomore Opposite Flavia Rusterholz added 7 kills and a .312 hitting percentage, and Ayannah Henry contributed 7 as well.

As a team, the Pioneers were boosted by aggressive serving in the match, totaling 12 aces.

Essi Penttinen set the standard on defense for IRSC, collecting 13 digs while delivering 17 assists.

Sills dug 11 attack attempts by Florida Gateway, and Tyson finished with 8 digs of her own.

The River looks to keep their winning streak alive in their home debut Wednesday (5:30 pm) against South Florida State College.