Box Score

INDIANAPOLIS -- The jaguar is classified as a large cat, but on Saturday evening, it was the Wildcats of Northwestern who stood tall at the net, shutting down the IUPUI attack in defeating the Jaguars, 3-0, in the IUPUI Hampton Inn Invitational.  IUPUI had their opportunities in the opening two sets, but fell to Northwestern, 16-25, 17-25, 6-26.

IUPUI (5-1) hit just -.101 for the match, but stayed in the first two sets on the strength of their back row, which stymied the Northwestern (3-2) attack.  However, the Wildcats were able to shut down the Jaguars with their height at the net, using four players 6-foot or taller to hold IUPUI to 19 kills.

Rachel Holmes led IUPUI's stout defense with 15 digs, while Shari Bernhardt had 11 digs for the Jags.

"We had our chances in the first two sets," IUPUI head coach Steve Payne said.  "Unfortunately we didn't attack to the right spots on the court, and Northwestern capitalized on the opportunities."

The Wildcats finished the evening with 14.5 total blocks in the three sets.

Still, the Jaguars forced Northwestern to record their 36 kills in 102 attempts, allowing IUPUI to hang around despite their lack of offensive rhythm.  IUPUI got off to a sluggish start to the opening set, falling behind 5-0 on the opening serve before Payne took a timeout to allow his team time to regroup.

The break seemed to settle the Jaguars, as they traded points with the Wildcats throughout.  Though Northwestern led by as many as 10 points, IUPUI was able to hold down a Northwestern attack that hit .222 in their opening match of the tournament.  In the first set, the Wildcats hit .139 as the Jaguars were able to sustain rallies; however, Northwestern limited the Jags to 7 kills in the set, holding IUPUI at bay.

Again in the second set, the Jaguars were able to come close to the Wildcats' lead closing within two points on three separate occasions in the set.  However, whenever Northwestern needed a point, they seemed to grab the opportunity, stretching a 15-13 lead to 17-13 and forcing Payne's squad to take a timeout.

For the fourth time in the set, IUPUI rallied to within two points, using a Wildcat error and kill by Holmes to cut their deficit in half.  Unfortunately for the Jags, Northwestern dug deep once again, taking the next five points of the set, putting themselves in position to take a 2-0 lead.

The Wildcats would seize control early in the third set and set themselves up for a possible tournament championship tomorrow.

IUPUI will take on Miami University tomorrow at 3 p.m. in the finale of the IUPUI Hampton Inn Invitational, while Northwestern will play Western Kentucky.  Should Northwestern defeat, WKU, IUPUI will be playing Miami for second place in the tournament; a victory would give the Jaguars their third runner-up finish in their tournament in three years.

The Jaguars' match will be carried live on IUPUI Live!, and live stats will also be available for the contest.  Both are available by clicking here.