INDIANAPOLIS – Following a somber night in which the outcome was far from expected, the volleyball team (1-1) found their form Saturday (Aug. 27) afternoon against Central Michigan (0-2), cruising to a straight-set (26-24, 25-22, 25-21) sweep on day two of the Hampton Inn Invitational. 
 
The Jaguars received highlight performances from Gabby Fisher, who clubbed 14 kills on a .312 hitting-percentage and shoveled 10 digs in a double-double effort, and Logan Walling, who hit a match-best .476 with 12 kills.  Walling was ferocious on defense as well, amassing seven total blocks, including three solo blocks.  The three solo blocks marks just the sixth time in program history that a Jaguar player has amassed that many in just three sets.   Alexis Mapes tossed 36 assists while Jessica Helms had a match-best 13 digs. 
 
Far from an ideal start, early errors and miscommunications put the Jags in an early deficit to begin the match.  After five errors by IUPUI set the deficit at 5-11, the Jags fought back, including a string of six-consecutive points during a run that included kills by Mapes and Walling, in addition to four CMU errors.  At 13-14, the Chippewas went on a 5-2 run, benefitting from four IUPUI errors.  After a few more exchanges, the Jags had their backs against the wall, down 18-23.  Refusing to let up, the Jags put together an 8-3 run, highlighted by a Walling kill to give IUPUI the edge with the scored tied at 24.  The final nail in the coffin was an error by CMU to end the frame and put the Jags on top, 26-24.
 
A shining example of the competitive balance between the two teams, the Jaguars and Chippewas went back-and-forth during the second set, fighting late into the frame.  At 21-20, IUPUI was clinging to a one point lead.  Fisher and Walling each connected for a kill, while a pair of CMU errors eventually sealed the set to double the Jags lead, 25-22. 
 
After an early deadlock with both teams tied 9-9, IUPUI found a way to seize the momentum and never look back.  Elizabeth Scott knocked a kill that gave the Jags the edge, a lead they would never relinquish, en route to a 5-2 run.  Although the action remained close enough to be interesting, the Jags kept their cool.  Up 23-21, Scott and Walling went back-to-back, sealing the set and the match for IUPUI.
 
The Jags will return to the court at 7 p.m. in the Jungle for the Hampton Inn Invitational finale as they face Southern Illinois (2-0). 
 
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