Valentic named PSAC West Defensive Athlete of the Year; IUP with two All-PSAC athletes

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – IUP women’s volleyball senior Lauren Valentic was named the 2023 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West Defensive Athlete of the Year, joining Nyla Birch as a first team selection as the league announced its postseason awards on Thursday. Valentic is a repeat first team honoree following her debut season at IUP in 2022, while Birch earns all-conference honors in the PSAC during her first season with the Crimson Hawks. Valentic becomes the first IUP player to win the PSAC West Defensive Player of the Year honor since the award was instituted in 2011. Valentic is the…