INDIANAPOLIS – Pushing it to four in-a-row for the season, the IUPUI volleyball team (10-14, 6-3) wasted little time in topping Omaha (5-18, 2-7) Friday (Oct. 21), pulling out the win in straight-sets (25-21, 25-18, 25-17) to remain perfect during their four-match homestand. A motivated effort on an important night, the Jags were victorious in their Dig Pink match, in which the team was trying to raise $1,400 to go towards a clinical trial in stage-four breast cancer.
Another big performance for the junior-lefty,
Kori Waelbroeck topped all players with 14 kills, also adding six digs in the match.
Elizabeth Scott and
Gabby Fisher each added nine kills, as Scott was sharp in a .304-outing.
Logan Walling picked up a pair of monstrous solo blocks, combined with seven kills in the match.
Alexis Mapes continued to improve her average, tossing 33 assists while adding two kills.
Jessica Helms had a match-high 18 digs.
The team combined to hit .232 in the match, limiting Omaha to a .105 clip. A rare stat this season, the Jags were out-blocked in the match, picking up four as a team to six for the Mavs. The teams were nearly even in digs, as the Jags held the slight edge at 50-49.
An even exchange to start the first set, the Jags broke a 13-13 tie on a kill from Scott to take the lead. The shot ignited a 5-2 run, putting IUPUI up 18-15. From there, three kills by Waelbroeck paced the Jags, as they quickly fought their way to a first-set victory, taking the opening frame 25-21. The Jags hit a hefty .333 as a team in the set, knocking 17 kills to just six errors. Waelbroeck led all players in the first set with seven kills on a .500 clip, while Walling added four on seven attempts, hitting .429 for the set.
It didn't take long for the Jags to return to form in the second set, as an 8-1 run by the Jags quickly gave them a stout lead, 10-4. Four players picked up kills during the stretch, including two each for Fisher and Waelbroeck. Out of an Omaha timeout, the teams exchanged points on a 6-6 run. Three straight errors forced another Mavericks timeout, as the Jags held a 16-10 advantage in the set. Following the pause in the action, Omaha picked up two blocks, but the teams remained close over the next 12 points, as the Jags still held a lead, 21-17. Two kills and a block gave the Jags a set point, as at 24-18, Scott connected on a wicked cross-court shot to seal the second set. Slightly less efficient than their opening frame, the Jags still hit above their season average, clubbing .225 as a team. Scott led the Jags with four kills in the set.
From the opening salvo onward, the Jags had no issues in taking control of the third set. Walling threw down the first kill to start the set, as six more kills over the opening points gave IUPUI a substantial lead, 15-6. Back-to-back points by the Mavericks would trip up the big run, but the Jags answered right back, picking up the next four points to set the score at 19-8. Despite being on the wrong end of a 5-1 run, IUPUI would fight their way to the final score, 25-17.
Abby Boatman would deliver the final blow on a right-side shot down the middle of the court.
With the win, the Jags will now turn to Sunday, as the team welcomes South Dakota State to the Jungle at 3 p.m. EST. The match marks the final of a four-match homestand.
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