INDIANAPOLIS – The IU Indianapolis volleyball team came up just short in a hard-fought five-set match against Youngstown State on Friday night at the Jungle, falling 3–2 (23–25, 25–23, 24–26, 25–19, 11–15).
 
In the opening set, the Jaguars battled through multiple ties but couldn't overcome a late Penguin push, dropping the frame 25–23 despite strong swings from Elle Patterson and Maia Long. IU Indy responded in set two, building early momentum behind steady setting from Grace Purichia and clutch kills from Long and Jillian Tippmann to even the match 25–23.
 
The third set mirrored the first, with the Jaguars jumping ahead early thanks to timely defense from Chloe Macias and Morgan Ostrowski at the net. However, Youngstown State rallied in the final points to take a 26–24 win. IU Indy refused to fold, dominating the fourth set with a .394 attack percentage. Patterson and Long led the charge as the Jaguars powered their way to a 25–19 victory, forcing a decisive fifth.
 
In the final frame, IU Indy kept things tight early but couldn't contain the Penguins' attack down the stretch, falling 15–11. Patterson finished with a team-high 20 kills, while Long added 18 on an efficient .441 hitting percentage. Ostrowski chipped in 12 kills and five blocks while Purichia dished out 56 assists. Defensively, Laura Roeder anchored the back row with 21 digs.
 
The Jaguars move to 11–9 overall and 5–3 in Horizon League play, snapping a five-game win streak. IU Indy and the Penguins will go head-to-head again tomorrow, Saturday, October 17 with first serve set for 2:00 PM.