INDIANAPOLIS – Continuing the program tradition and paying homage to their decorated history, the IUPUI volleyball team hosted the annual Alumni Match Saturday (Aug. 20) inside the confides of the Jungle. Mirroring the conditions outside the Natatorium, the Jaguars stormed out in front of their opposition, dropping the alumni in straight sets (25-20, 25-13, 25-16).
Continuing the important tradition of keeping players connected to the history of their program, the 2016 roster debuted opposite an alumni squad that included 14 former players, including three from the 2015 season.
Kaitlyn Hickey, a two-time All-American Honorable Mention and current student assistant coach for the Jags, joined
Courtney Halter and
Skylar Wright from last year's squad. Wright was joined by her elder sister,
Kortni Wright, to face off against their youngest sister,
McKayla Wright, who is a freshman on this year's roster.
Other alumni honorees included
Meredith Farkas,
Beth Howard,
Moriah Fair,
Shari Bernhardt, Bri Hewitt, Katie Hahn, Erica Lewis, Michelle Coleman and former All-American Rebekah Pallikan.
In their first action of the 2016 schedule festivities, the Jaguars mixed in a variety of players, an early glimpse at what potentially lies ahead for head coach
Steve Payne and his squad. The second set featured nearly an entire freshman lineup, as the Jags welcomed their new additions in a trial by fire.
Payne is entering his 20th year at the helm for IUPUI, and has led his squad to four-straight Summit League Tournament appearances, and 14 overall. Last season, IUPUI finished with a 21-10 overall record, including a 12-4 mark against Summit League opposition. For their efforts, the team finished second in the regular season standings.
The Jaguars will begin their preseason tournament schedule next Friday (Aug. 26) at 7 p.m. inside the Jungle, as IUPUI will play host to Duquesne in the second match of the IUPUI-Hampton Inn Invitational. Other schools in the tournament include Central Michigan and Southern Illinois.
