INDIANA, Pa. – The Gannon volleyball team just keeps getting stronger.
 
The Golden Knights won their ninth match in a row and claimed their third consecutive sweep in a 25-23, 25-20, 25-15 victory over Indiana (Pa.) on Tuesday evening at IUP's Kovalchick Convention & Athletic Complex. Coach Matt Darling's Gannon team improved to 16-5 overall and remained alone in first place in the PSAC West with an 8-0 record.
 
The senior front line led GU again as right side hitter Hailey Koch (Littleton, Col./Dakota Ridge) had 10 kills, and middle blocker Ali Sorenson (Tinley Park, Ill./Lincoln Way East) and Journey Blevins (Richwood, Ohio/North Union) added eight kills apiece. Sorenson and Koch also stood out defensively with five and three total blocks, respectively. Sorenson continued to hit at a torrid pace as she posted a .615 attack percentage, while Koch hit at a .400 percentage.
 
"We feel pretty good about tonight's result, which featured a blocking performance that helped us score at key moments," Darling said. "Ali and Hailey put up some good numbers, too, and our defense improved as we went along."
 
IUP dropped to 14-8 and 4-4.
 
Gannon's 2023 season ended with a five-set loss to IUP in the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional. However, the Golden Knights have swept the Crimson Hawks in both regular-season matchups in 2024.
 
 
How it happened:
 
Tuesday's first set was close throughout with the score eventually tied 17-17. With senior libero Emma Hall (Lowell, Mich./Lowell) serving, Gannon then ran off six consecutive points to take a 23-17 advantage. IUP responded by scoring six of the next seven points to trim the lead to 24-23. However, a kill by sophomore outside hitter Carissa Treser (Sewickley, Pa./North Allegheny) sealed the first-set victory.
 
Gannon led 19-18 when the Knights scored six of the final eight points. That run included two kills by Blevins before a kill by Sorenson clinched the 25-20 win.
 
IUP surged to an 11-8 victory in the third set, but Gannon took command after that. A run of six consecutive serves by Delaney Thomas (Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park) led to a 15-11 GU lead. Gannon led 20-15 when it reeled off the final five points. A block by Treser ended the match and gave the Knights their ninth straight victory.
 
 
By the numbers:
 
Gannon dominated at the net, finishing with 11 blocks to IUP's two.
 
The Golden Knights outhit the Crimson Hawks .238 to .150 as GU continued to play strong defense.
 
Junior setter Bengisu Arslan (Ankara, Turkey/Private Çankaya Doga Anatolian) led Gannon with 28 assists and 11 digs. Treser and sophomore middle blocker Lauren Atwell (Mars, Pa./Mars Area) each finished with four total blocks.
 
 
What's ahead:
 
Gannon will play its most important match of the season to date on Saturday at noon when GU hosts Seton Hill at Hagerty Family Events Center.  While GU is 8-0 in the PSAC West, second-place Seton Hill will take a 6-1 conference record into a home match with IUP on Friday before the Griffins visit Erie on Saturday.