Indian River Volleyball Wins Home Opener

The home opener for the Indian River volleyball team is finally here and they are matched up with non-conference opponent, South Florida State College. The Pioneers enter the match at 0-4 on the season after a tough tournament schedule in Salt Lake City, but they look to get a win tonight!

After the national anthem played, the teams took to their respective courts and it was game on. South Florida State College (SFSC) opened the season tonight making this their first game of the year, and early on in the first set it looked like it too. The River jumped out to a big lead early taking advantage of several communication errors from the Panthers. They would take the first set easily 25-14.

The second set started out much of the same way, with the Pioneers jumping out to a big lead early and keeping the pressure on SFSC from the very beginning. The momentum slowed though, as the Panthers started to figure out each other and their offense, and points followed. The panthers began to push back and gained some momentum, but eventually the River prevailed the second set 25-20.

The River was looking to end their first home match of the year with a clean sweep, and they took to the floor ready to finish them off! The Panthers had other plans though as they played far more aggressive and as a unit as they had thus far, and they began to apply some pressure. Indian River's young roster of 13 freshmen showed, as they began making uncharacteristic errors and keeping the game to close for the comfort. Tied at 15, the Panthers would make a 4-point run to put them ahead, and they would win the set 25-20, forcing it to a fourth.

The Panthers had new life, but the Pioneers came out with a new focus, and looked ready to take care of business from the start. However, SFSC would not got down easily, with lots of hustle and scrappy play, they kept the game close and the pressure on IRSC all the way up until 20-20. Bolstered by two late game aces from Stella Lukaszuk (3 Aces, 5 Digs) the River fought through the scrappy play and finally finished them off, with a set four and match closing score of 25-23.

Not a sweep as hoped, but the Pioneers have a win on the season and look to add more this weekend at the Battle of the Beach Tournament (streaming at www.fswbucs.com/fswbucslive)

Indian River Volleyball has its next home match on Tuesday, September 6^th at 5:30 PM against conference rival Daytona State College.