NORMAL, Ill. – Trailing late in every set, the IUPUI volleyball team managed to dig in and put together some late rallies to finish off the Country Financial Redbird Classic with a 3-0 sweep of Youngstown State Saturday morning.
Skylar Wright led the way offensively with 12 kills and
Kaitlyn Hickey added 11, while
Logan Walling chipped in eight at a .571 hitting percentage. In addition to her eight kills, Walling served up three of the team's four total aces.
Despite solid offensive numbers, defense was where the Jags won the match-up with the Penguins as IUPUI outblocked YSU 7.0 to 4.0 and posted 51 digs to the opposition's 46 thanks to 20 from
Courtney Halter It took 11 points in the opening set before the Jags would get their first kill, but three Youngstown State errors and an ace from Hickey kept the Jags within one at 6-5. The Jags next six points, however, would be kills, before an ace from Walling and a kill from Hickey placed IUPUI in front, 13-11. The Jags lead remained at two at 16-14, but a YSU rally that saw it capture six of the next seven points put it in front, 20-17, forcing a Jags timeout. That timeout couldn't have come at a better time as out of the break, a YSU service error started a seven-point run that catapulted IUPUI on top, 24-20. During the run, the Jags picked up three big kills from Wright to keep the momentum on their side. From that point, an exchange of side outs gave IUPUI the 25-21 opening-set win.
IUPUI got off to a better start in set two and took what looked to be a comfortable lead at 17-12. The Penguins came roaring back to take a 21-20 lead following an ace, but the Jags went back to the same formula that worked in set one. Wright and Walling put down clutch kills and a Penguins attack error aided a late rally that resulted in IUPUI winning the second set, 25-21, as it went in front two sets to none.
With Wright, Hickey and Walling counting for 24 of the Jaguars' 29 kills through two sets, IUPUI mixed it up early in set three and
Kelly Wachtel delivered four early kills to keep the Jags within one at 15-14. For the third straight set, the Jaguars trailed late – this time by two at 21-19 – but kills from Wright and Hickey evened things up at 21-21 resulting in YSU burning its final timeout. Out of the break, a block by Hickey and #Abby Horn, a kill from Hickey and a Penguins attack error put the Jags on the doorstep of another come-from-behind win. Following a YSU side out, a Penguins service error – their ninth of the set – completed the 25-22 win.
For their efforts throughout the weekend, Halter and Walling were named to the All-Tournament Team.
IUPUI will have a week off before heading to Milwaukee, Wis., for the Marquette Invitational. The Jags will take on Albany, Wichita State and Marquette in Milwaukee.
