DAYTON, Ohio - The IUPUI volleyball team will cap a daunting five-game stretch of road games this weekend when the Jaguars travel to Wright State on Friday (Oct. 8) and Northern Kentucky on Saturday (Oct. 9). The Jaguars enter the weekend in dire need of a victory, having started #HLVB play with six straight losses. 

The offense has shown promise of late, hitting nearly .200 in each of its last three contests, all on the road. The Jaguars dropped a five-set thriller at Cleveland State on a night in which they hit .188 and followed by hitting .172 at Robert Morris. The road trip ended with a four-set loss at Youngstown State in which IUPUI connected on .173 attacking. IUPUI (2-15, 0-6 HL) had more kills than their opponents in each of the past three contests, but also had costly errors, both attacking and from the service line. 

Freshman Briana Brown continues to pace the team with 3.02 kills/set while Allie Pogue puts down 2.48/set. Maddie Haines is next in line at 2.40/set and sophomore middle Emily Alan averages 2.22 kills/set and is hitting .219 on the year. Brooke Phillips continues to the pilot the offense at 8.35 assists/set from her setter spot and also has a team-high 25 aces. 

Fifth-year senior Rhiannon Schuenemann paces the defense at 3.64 digs/set and Addie Evans collects 2.85 digs/set. Alan (48.0) and Millai Madison (44.0) are the team's top blockers. IUPUI is just 1-5 inside the Jungle this season. 

SCOUTING WRIGHT STATE (10-6, 2-2 HL)
Wright State is 2-2 in Horizon League play and 4-3 on its home floor this season. The Raiders boast non-conference wins over Michigan State, DePaul and Dayton. The Raiders get 2.53 kills/set from Megan Alders and 2.23 kills/set from Celia Powers. The defense is keyed by Jenna Story's 5.64 digs/set and the blocking of Nyssa Baker (61.0) and Powers (46.0). 

SCOUTING NORTHERN KENTUCKY (7-6, 3-1 HL)
Northern Kentucky is 3-1 to start Horizon League play and 1-0 at home this season win th a win over Robert Morris. The Norse have two heavy hitters in Anna Brinkmann (3.52 kills/set) and Abby Kanakry (2.98 kills/set). The defense relies on Ashton Terrill (4.80 digs/set) and Peytton Bagwell's 49.0 blocks. 

SERIES HISTORY
IUPUI is 8-10 all-time against Wright State, but 4-2 in the six meetings in Dayton. The Jags are amidst a six-game losing streak to the Raiders since winning in Dayton in October 2017. 
IUPUI is 2-7 all-time against NKU and 1-3 in four meetings in Highland Heights. IUPUI has lost five straight to NKU since a 3-1 road win in October 2017. 

UP NEXT
IUPUI will host Oakland on Tuesday, Oct. 12 at 6:00 p.m. inside the Jungle.