LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The IU Indy Jaguars split the opening day of the Bellarmine Classic. The Jags fell to Cincinnati in the opening match then took down host team Bellarmine in four sets to close out day one.
In the opening match of the Bellarmine Classic, the Jags fell to Cincinnati in three sets (25-16, 25-22, 25-17). The Jags couldn't get a rhythm going on the attack as they hit just .086. Meanwhile, the Bearcats hit .326 with a total of 40 kills.
In the opening set, the Bearcats took a quick lead and held onto it the whole set. With five straight points, extending their lead to 18-11, head coach of the Jags
Andrew Kroger called a timeout hoping to regroup. After the timeout, IU Indy showed some fight, taking three straight points but the Bearcats quickly recovered, ending the set on a 7-2 run.
The Jags started the second set with three straight points, including two kills from
Briana Brown. They held onto the lead until the Bearcats tied it up at eight apiece. Cincinnati took a six point lead at 23-17 before IU Indy took four straight, including kills from
Elle Patterson and Brown, to keep the set alive. Cincinnati's Sydney Nolan ended the match with two kills to give the Bearcats a 2-0 set lead.
IU Indy once again jumped out to a fast lead with the first four points of the third set with a kill from
Carly Doros and three service aces from
Grace Purichia. Cincinnati tied it up at seven then took the lead and never looked back, closing out the match with a 25-17 third set victory.
After the three set loss, IU Indy (3-3) regrouped between matches then took down the Bellarmine Knights in four sets. In the second match of the day, the Jags came out with much more grit including a .233 hitting percentage. Patterson led the attack with a season-high tying 19 kills for a .378 hitting percentage.
In the opening set, the Knights took an early 15-9 lead before the Jags took eight straight points, including kills from
Maia Long,
Lila Britt and Patterson to take the 17-15 lead. Bellarmine didn't back down as they tied it up at 19-19 but after a pair of Patterson kills and service errors from the Knights, the Jags closed out the first set 25-22.
The Knights and Jags traded points most of the second set but a late five-point run gave Bellarmine the boost they needed to tie the match at one set apiece with a 25-18 set two victory.
The Jags found themselves behind once again in the third set but after a six point run, thanks to kills from Brown, Doros and
Ava Harris, IU Indy took a 16-13 lead. Bellarmine pulled within one point at 20-19 but the Jags closed out the second match with five straight points, including kills from Patterson and Brown, to secure the third set win, 25-19.
After taking the 2-1 set lead, IU Indy closed out the match with a hard-fought 26-24 fourth set victory. The Jags found themselves behind late in the match at 21-18, but they never gave up, taking eight of the last 11 points to secure the win.
Patterson led the attack with a total of 19 kills while Doros followed with eight and Harris added seven. Doros also added three blocks while
Addie Evans totaled 16 digs followed by Patterson with 12.
Grace Purichia collected 42 assists and two service aces.
IU Indy will close out the Bellarmine Classic tomorrow when they face UAB. The Jaguars and Blazers are set for a 12:00 PM first serve.
