ERIE, Pa. -- The East Stroudsburg women's volleyball team closed out a remarkable 2025 campaign on Friday evening in the NCAA Atlantic Region Semifinals. The No. 2 Warriors dropped to No. 3 Indiana (Pa.) in four sets with scores of 18-25, 25-21, 20-25, and 27-29.
The Warriors closed out the remarkable season with an overall record of 27-6. This season, the team won their sixth PSAC Championship title in program history, earned their first ever win in the NCAA Tournament, went on a 15-match winning streak, and remained undefeated at home (13-0). The team had two All-PSAC First Team selections, and Anna Coulter was named PSAC East Athlete of the Year along with receiving D2CCA/AVCA Player of the Year honors.
Coulter concluded the 2025 season with 600 points, 200 total blocks, and 439 kills. Marta Leeland finished the year with 600 digs and 55 service aces. Kelly Crites finished with 308 kills, Romina Martinez finished with 281, and Allison Birtcil rounded out the top with 233. Kyra Bishop concluded the season with 775 assists and 87 total blocks, while Birtcil and Harry Berry combined for 151 total blocks.
Notables
Coulter led the team with 18 kills and the floor with six blocks. Crites added 13 kills, Martinez recorded nine, while Bishop, Crites, and Berry posted four blocks each. Crites recorded three service aces and Bishop notched 37 assists.
How it happened
Set 1: IUP held the lead through the beginning while ESU pulled within one at 12-13. The Crimson Hawks extended their lead to six points at 13-19. The teams continued to trade points however IUP took the first set off a block and a kill, 18-25.
Set 2: The Hawks remained in front until ESU tied the score three times before pulling ahead at 18-16. The Warriors used a 5-1 run that consisted of three kills from Coulter to push the score to set point, 24-19. IUP countered with two points before Crites gave the Warriors the second set off a kill, 25-21.
Set 3: A block from Bishop/Coulter and kills from Bishop and Berry put the Warriors ahead by five points at 17-12. IUP used a four point run to come within one point and then used a seven point run to push the set to set point, 19-24. A kill from Martinez put the score at 20-24 before an IUP kill game them a two set advantage.
Set 4: In the fourth set the teams took turns tying up the score. IUP's five point run pushed their advantage to 11-16. With the score at 18-24, ESU used a huge seven point run to get in front at 25-24. ESU held the lead at 27-26, however two kills from IUP and a service ace handed the Warriors their defeat.
