INDIANAPOLIS – The IU Indianapolis volleyball team closed out the weekend with a three-set loss to Horizon League leader Wright State on Saturday afternoon inside James T. Morris Arena. The Raiders took the 25-16, 25-17, 25-23 victory.
Bailey Sinish led the Jaguars with 14 kills, finishing with a match-high .480 hitting percentage. Jillian Tippmann added nine kills, while Lila Britt and Elle Patterson recorded seven apiece. Britt hit .385 and contributed a block assist.
Grace Purichia directed the offense with 36 assists, and Laura Roeder anchored the back row with a match-best 16 digs. Lauren White served both of IU Indy's aces.
The Jaguars scored the opening point of the first set on a kill from Sinish, but Wright State responded with a 4-0 run and remained in front for the rest of the frame. IU Indy pulled within three at 13-10 following consecutive Sinish kills before the Raiders closed the set on a 12-6 stretch to win, 25-16.
The teams traded points early in the second set, playing to ties at 3-3 and 4-4. Wright State later used a 4-0 run to build a 12-6 advantage, but IU Indy answered behind White's serve. The Jaguars scored five straight points—including back-to-back aces from White—to trim the deficit to 13-12.
IU Indy drew even at 14-14 on consecutive kills from Tippmann and again at 15-15 following a Britt kill. The Raiders regained control with five unanswered points and went on to take the set, 25-17.
The Jaguars produced their strongest offensive effort in the third, totaling 16 kills and hitting .244. IU Indy led by as many as three points and held an 18-17 advantage after a Tippmann kill, but the teams remained separated by no more than two points down the stretch.
After Wright State reached match point at 24-22, Britt delivered a kill to keep the Jaguars alive. The Raiders answered on the next rally, however, sealing the set at 25-23 and completing the sweep.
IU Indy finished with 40 kills to Wright State's 33, but the Raiders held advantages in service aces, 9-2, and total blocks, 5-1. The Jaguars moved to 9-12 overall and 4-4 in Horizon League play, while Wright State improved to 13-5 and remained unbeaten in conference action at 8-0.
IU Indy will return to the new James T. Morris Arena on October 29 after a two-game road trip. The Jags face Milwuakee and Green Bay next weekend.
