INDIANAPOLIS – Throughout a lengthy tournament of fierce competition and highly competitive sets, the Jaguars' volleyball team (1-2) came up just short in the championship match of the Hampton Inn Invitational against Southern Illinois (3-0) Saturday (Aug. 27), falling in four sets (21-25, 25-23, 24-26, 22-25).  Each set was decided a mere handful of points, a promising yet difficult start for a new look team in 2016.
 
The Jags were led in the match by Kori Waelbroeck who logged a double-double effort, slugging a team-high 15 kills along with 14 digs.  Gabby Fisher also had a double-double performance with 13 kills and 14 digs, while middle-blocker Logan Walling added nine kills with six total blocks.  Alexis Mapes went off for 47 assists and 18 digs, while Jessica Helms shoveled 13 digs.
 
Proving to be quite the championship match, the Jags and Salukis demonstrated equal might throughout the contest.  From the opening serve, things proved to be difficult for either team to assert themselves.  Tied 11-11 midway through the opening frame's action, SIU benefitted from a pair of kills and two Jag' errors to string together a 4-1 run.  That run was enough to give the Salukis a permanent edge in the frame, as they'd eventually work the score to 23-18.  The Jags reeled off three consecutive points on kills by Boatman and Fisher, but SIU would eventually close the set on a kill and an error.
 
Needing to bounce back from the early deficit, the Jags wiggled their way to a slim lead early, as Fisher launched a pair of kills to put the Jags up, 6-4.  That lead would never relinquish, however the Salukis certainly made it close.  After the Jags led by as many as six at 15-9, a 6-2 run by SIU once again stiffened the competition.  It would get as close as a single point lead, at 23-22 in favor of IUPUI, but two kills by Walling would give the Jags the set and tie the match, 25-23.
 
Continuing the trend of a steadfast attack by both teams, the third set featured 12 ties throughout its duration.  It seemed that IUPUI was seizing the momentum after breaking a 12-12 tie, as Abby Boatman and Jacquie Hornung each crushed a pair of kills, but SIU would eventually fight back to tie the affair at 19.  It was neck-and-neck all the way to 24-24, until back-to-back kills by the Salukis ended the frame and gave Southern Illinois the set advantage, 2-1.
 
It seemed as though the close sets and long rallies began to take a toll on the Jags, as the Salukis erupted in the fourth set.  Tied 3-3, SIU went on a 5-0 run, thanks in part to three IUPUI errors.  They'd get as far as 16-8 on five kills and a service ace, forcing head coach Steve Payne to call a timeout.  The break was much needed, as IUPUI went on to score the next four points, two of which were kills, forcing Southern Illinois into a timeout.  At 12-16, another run, this time of the 4-1 variety by IUPUI made it a one-point frame.  It'd go back and forth deep into the frame, until the Salukis took a 24-21 lead for the match point.  A kill by Fisher seemed to reignite the Jaguar' faith, but a pause in the action seemed to steal the thunder of the Jags.  The next point was a kill for Southern Illinois, officially ending the frame and the match, 22-25.

For their efforts, Fisher and Walling were named two of the seven total players selected to the Hampton Inn Invitational All-Tournament team. 
 
The Jags will return to action Wednesday (Aug. 31) in Muncie, Indiana, as they face Ball State in their first road match of 2016.  The event will be featured for free on ESPN 3.
 
For news, scores, highlights, stories and more, check out IUPUIJags.com.