IRSC Volleyball travels to South Carolina to compete in Spartanburg Methodist Invitational.

Early Thursday morning, Indian River Volleyball traveled to South Carolina to compete in Spartanburg Methodist Invitational. Starting off the trip, the Pioneers struggled Friday afternoon going 0-2, losing against Walter State Community College (27-25, 25-27, 24-26, 21-25) and Spartanburg Methodist (23-25, 22-25, 25-22, 21-25). After two tough losses the day before, Indian River closed out its run Saturday morning with 2 sweeps against USC-Sumter (25-12, 25-12, 25-8) and Walter State Community College (25-17, 25-22, 25-15) to finish the weekend 2-2.

The Pioneers took the court Friday afternoon to compete in their first match against the Senators. Both teams came out with a lot of energy, going head-to-head the entire first set coming down to a tied score of 25-25. With the help of a side out kill from Freshman right side, Wiktoria Telecka and a double block from Freshman outside Hailey Mull and Freshman middle blocker, Rylee Waldie led Indian River to take set one 27-25. The pressure continued as set two and three were very similar to set one, going point for point but unfortunately, Indian River could not stop Walter State as they were up 2-1 on the match. The Pioneers did not give up and came out with a lot of fight, but it was not enough as the Senators closed out the match with a 3-1 win. Key contributors for the match include Freshman right side, Wiktoria Telecka (19 kills, 4 blocks, 7 digs), Sophomore Libero, Stella Lukaszuk (32 digs), Sophomore outside, Olivia Melton (11 kills, 20 digs) and Sophomore setter, Valeria Ivanova (43 assists, 20 digs).

With only a few short minutes to regroup, Indian River took the court again as they were ready to bounce back to finish the day 1-1. Yet, Spartanburg Methodist had other plans as they came out with a lot of fire to defend their home court. Throughout the set, the River struggled to side out as SMC continued to apply pressure, going on several four to five point runs that lead them to close out set one, 23-25. Indian River came out quick in the second set taking the lead 8-0. However, Spartanburg did not give up as they were chipping away, tying up the set 12-12. Both teams fought point for point but sadly, the River could not pull away as SMC took the second set and up 2-0 on the match. Things were looking bright for Spartanburg Methodist, but Indian River continued to persevere. Very similar to the previous sets, each team battled out until the very end tying the set 22-22. Indian River did not let up as 2 kills from Freshman outside, Hailey Mull and an ace from Sophomore libero, Stella Lukaszuk guided the River to take set three. In the end, SMC got the best of the River taking the fourth set and winning the match 3-1.  Key contributors for the match include Freshman middle blocker, Rylee Waldie (5 kills, 6 blocks) and Freshman outside, Hailey Mull (10 kills, 3 digs).

After two tough losses the night before, Indian River volleyball was hungry and ready to take the court Saturday morning as they had the opportunity to end the weekend on a positive note. The Pioneers faced USC-Sumter as their first match of the day. Coming out strong in the first set, Indian River took the lead 14-4 and did not let up as they continued to apply pressure. With the teams hitting percentage in the first set of .632, the River captured set one. Sets two and three were comparable to the first set as Indian River continued to take care of business with a team hitting percentage of .286 in the second set and .611 in the third. The River finished the match with a sweep victory win! Key contributors for the match include Freshman right side, Iliana Velinov (8 kills, 3 ace), Freshman setter, Natalie Rhodes (16 assists, 2 kills), and Sophomore libero, Stella Lukaszuk (7 aces, 6 digs).

Shortly after a sweet victory sweep, Indian River was set to face off Walter State once again for the last match of the day. Knowing they were wanting to proof themselves; emotions were high as the River took the court. The Senators and Pioneers traded blows back-to-back in set one until Indian River went on a three-point run, breaking away and taking the lead 9-5. IRSC carried on as they seized the first set 25-17 with a team total of 19 kills. The momentum stayed with the Pioneers as they proceeded to brawl in the second set. Down 14-17, a side out kill from Sophomore Zuzanna Rut, gave the pioneers the opportunity to apply pressure from the service line. Freshman, Natalie Rhodes conquered that challenge and made a huge impact by contributing 2 back-to-back aces as well as getting Walter State out of system, tying up set two 17-17. However, Walter State continued to put up a fight but came up short as Indian River took set two. Up 2-0 in the match, the Pioneers kept their composure and were ready for anything in the third set. Indian River pursued to challenge Walter State, coming out on top with a 19-14 advantage. From here, the Pioneers went on a 6-point run, a quick side out, then finished the 3-set victory sweep with an ace from Sophomore, Saray Rios. Key contributors for the match include Sophomore, Zuzanna Rut and Freshman, Wiktoria Telecka with 11 kills each, and Sophomore, Olivia Melton with 13 kills and 10 digs.

The Pioneers are now 6-2 on the season and will travel to Miami Dade to play in their first conference match of the season.

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