INDIANAPOLIS - IU Indy volleyball pushed Northern Illinois to the max on Saturday afternoon inside the Jungle to close out the Hampton Inn Invite, but the Jaguars ultimately fell in a five-set thriller (23-25, 21-25, 25-20, 25-21, 11-15).
 
The Jaguars (4-5) stormed back after dropping the first two sets. Jillian Tippmann led the way with a match-high 23 kills while hitting .354 and also adding three blocks. Middle blocker Morgan Ostrowski also stood tall at the net, tallying 11 kills at a .348 clip and six total blocks.
 
Setter Grace Purichia fueled the attack with 45 assists and chipped in six kills of her own on an efficient .455 hitting percentage. Amanda Stephens provided a lift off the bench with five kills and four blocks, while Laura Roeder anchored the defense with 13 digs and added two service aces.
 
IU Indy clawed its way back into the match with a 25-20 win in set three, then pulled even by taking set four 25-21. The deciding frame was tightly contested, but NIU used timely kills and tough serving down the stretch to escape with a 15-11 win.
 
The Jaguars out-blocked the Huskies and posted 55 digs, but NIU's serving proved decisive, as the visitors notched 11 aces to IU Indy's seven.
 
IU Indy will next host Eastern Michigan on Thursday. The Jags and Eagles are set for a 7:00 PM first serve.