INDIANAPOLIS – The IU Indy volleyball team will make history this weekend as the Jaguars host Wright State for the first-ever events inside the James T. Morris Arena. The two-match Horizon League series begins Friday, Oct. 16 at 6:00 p.m. before concluding Saturday, Oct. 17 at 2:00 p.m. Both matches will be streamed on ESPN+.    
 
IU Indy enters the historic weekend at 9-10 overall and 4-2 in Horizon League play, while Wright State comes to Indianapolis at 11-5 overall and a perfect 6-0 in conference action. The Raiders are tied with Northern Kentucky atop the league standings, while the Jaguars sit fifth, just behind Green Bay.    
 
A NEW HOME FOR THE JAGS
Friday night's match will mark the first athletic event held inside the brand-new James T. Morris Arena. The Jaguars will look to christen their new home with a victory after putting together a strong home record so far this season. IU Indy is 5-1 at home and has won four straight home matches entering the weekend.    
 
The weekend also represents an important early test in the Horizon League race. IU Indy has split each of its first two conference road weekends after sweeping Robert Morris at home. Most recently, the Jaguars responded to a five-set loss at Oakland with a 3-0 victory over the Golden Grizzlies on Oct. 10.    
 
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
The James T. Morris Arena is located at 725 W. Ohio St., Indianapolis, IN 46202. Fans attending this weekend's matches are encouraged to plan ahead and arrive early to allow plenty of time for parking, entry and finding their seats. All guests must have a ticket for admission, while children ages three and under are admitted free. IU Indy students receive free admission by presenting a valid Crimson Card. Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance at IUIndyJags.com/Tickets. Event parking will be available in the Riverwalk Garage, and doors will open 60 minutes prior to the start of each match. Guests should have their tickets ready on their mobile devices before approaching the entrance. The James T. Morris Arena box office is cashless and will close at the beginning of the third set. We look forward to welcoming Jaguar fans to the first-ever events inside the James T. Morris Arena!
 
SERIES HISTORY
The Jaguars and Raiders will meet for the 29th and 30th times this weekend, with Wright State holding a 20-8 advantage in the all-time series. IU Indy will be looking to snap a 16-match losing streak against the Raiders.
 
SINISH MAKES IMMEDIATE IMPACT
Freshman Bailey Sinish has wasted little time making her mark in an IU Indy uniform. The Fort Wayne native leads the Jaguars with 258 kills while adding 133 digs and 27 blocks through 19 matches. She is averaging 3.53 kills per set and has started every match this season. Sinish enters the weekend fresh off a record-breaking performance at Oakland, where she totaled 31 kills on Oct. 9 to set a new IU Indy single-match record.
 
TIPPMANN CONTINUES STRONG SOPHOMORE CAMPAIGN
Sophomore Jillian Tippmann has provided another consistent offensive weapon for the Jaguars. Tippmann leads IU Indy at 3.73 kills per set and has collected 220 kills in 16 matches. She also has 93 digs and 20 total blocks. The reigning All-Horizon League Second Team and All-Freshman Team selection was named the #HLVB Player of the Week on Sept. 8.    
 
PURICHIA RUNNING THE OFFENSE
Senior setter Grace Purichia continues to direct the IU Indy attack after a standout junior season in which she was named Horizon League Setter of the Year. Purichia became the program's career assists leader this season and enters the Wright State series with 4,135 career assists.
 
She has totaled 725 assists this year, averaging 9.93 per set, while also contributing 168 digs and 28 service aces. Purichia is one of just two active NCAA Division I players with more than 4,000 career assists and 1,000 career digs.    
 
ROEDER LEADS THE BACK ROW
Sophomore libero Laura Roeder has anchored the Jaguar defense, leading IU Indy with 231 digs and averaging 3.16 digs per set. Roeder, who earned Horizon League All-Freshman Team honors last season, has appeared in all 73 sets this year and also ranks among the team's leaders with 27 service aces.    
 
SCOUTING THE RAIDERS
Wright State enters Indianapolis as one of the Horizon League's early frontrunners. The Raiders are 11-5 overall and have opened conference play with six consecutive victories, putting them in a tie with Northern Kentucky atop the league standings.    
 
UP NEXT
Following the historic opening weekend at James T. Morris Arena, IU Indy will return to the road for matches at Milwaukee on Friday, Oct. 23 and Green Bay on Saturday, Oct. 24. The Jaguars return to The Jim on Oct. 29 when they host Northern Kentucky at 7:00 p.m.