INDIANAPOLIS – A five-set thriller in the Jungle on Tuesday night ended with the IUPUI volleyball team on the wrong side of the outcome falling, 3-2 to the Oakland Golden Grizzlies. The Jaguars served up 15 aces in the loss with junior Briana Brown collected four.
 
In the opening set of the match, the Jaguars came out hot taking the 25-16 victory. The Jags went on an 8-0 to take the early lead at 15-6, Brown contributed three service aces during that span. IUPUI also showed their accuracy in the first set with 15 kills on 35 attempts for a .257 hitting percentage compared to Oakland's .037.
 
The Jags couldn't keep the pace in set two, falling to Oakland, 25-18. IUPUI still collected two aces in the second set.
 
After the Golden Grizzlies tied the match up at 1-1, IUPUI quickly recovered taking set three, 25-19. The Jags outhit Oakland 13-9 with a hitting percentage of .250. They also doubled their service aces with five in the third set.
 
Oakland once again tied the match up at 2-2, forcing a fifth set with a 25-17 fourth set win. Attack errors proved costly for the Jags as they committed 10 versus Oakland's three.
 
The fifth set was evenly matched with Oakland taking a 7-5 lead but the Jags fought back going on a 6-1 run with two aces from Grace Purichia. The 11-8 lead wouldn't hold as Oakland took the set and match at 15-13.
 
Brown led the Jaguar's attack with 16 kills while also collecting four aces and nine digs. Freshman Maia Long followed with 14 kills and Emily Alan had 11. Addie Evans kept the ball in play with a team-high 19 digs while Brooke Phillips collected 11 and Purichia totaled 12. Purichia also led the team in assists with 44.
 
The Jags are now 6-9 overall and still look for their first Horizon League win at 0-4 in conference play. IUPUI will get that chance on Saturday when they travel to Purdue Fort Wayne for a 7:00 PM first serve.