HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The IU Indy Jaguars secured their spot in the Horizon League Tournament with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Northern Kentucky on Saturday afternoon. The Jaguars battled back from an opening set loss to claim the crucial win (20-25, 25-19, 25-21, 21-25, 15-12). Sophomore Grace Purichia totaled a career-high 59 assists in the win.
 
In the opening set, the Jaguars found themselves on the wrong end as Northern Kentucky's strong offense and efficient hitting put IU Indy on its heels. The Norse hit .333 with 12 kills, while the Jaguars struggled to match that pace, hitting just .182 with 11 kills, ultimately falling 25-20.
 
IU Indy quickly regrouped in the second set. With a spot in the Horizon League Tournament on the line, the Jaguars came out firing, winning the set 25-19. The Jags' offense stepped up, recording 17 kills compared to just seven for the Norse. With the set win, IU Indy not only tied the match at 1-1 but also secured their place in the tournament.
 
The Jaguars continued their momentum in the third set, taking a 2-1 lead with a 25-21 victory. IU Indy hit their highest percentage of the match in the third set, connecting on 17 kills with an impressive .417 hitting percentage. Briana Brown delivered the final blow with a kill that sealed the set, giving the Jaguars the match advantage.
 
Northern Kentucky wasn't ready to go down without a fight. The Norse responded in the fourth set with their best offensive performance of the match, hitting .483 and outlasting the Jaguars for a 25-21 win to even the match at 2-2.
 
In the deciding fifth set, the Jaguars came out with intensity, taking control early with a kill from Elle Patterson. IU Indy never trailed in the final frame, and it was Patterson who provided the finishing touch, closing out the set with a kill to give the Jaguars a 15-12 victory and the match win.
 
Patterson led the Jaguars' offense with 17 kills, while Morgan Ostrowski added 14, Maia Long contributed 13, and Briana Brown finished with 10. In a standout performance from the Jaguars' setter, Grace Purichia tallied a career-high 59 assists, along with seven kills and 11 digs.
 
With the win, the Jaguars finish the regular season as the #6 seed in the Horizon League and will face #3 seed Cleveland State in the tournament's opening round on Friday, November 22, at 3:00 PM. The match will take place in Dayton, Ohio, on Wright State's campus.