INDIANAPOLIS — IU Indy volleyball made history at James T. Morris Arena on Thursday night, earning its first victory in the venue with a four-set win over Northern Kentucky. The Jaguars defeated the Norse 25-18, 21-25, 25-23, 25-21 to improve to 11-13 overall and 6-5 in Horizon League play.
IU Indy set the tone in the opening set, hitting .289 and limiting Northern Kentucky to a .079 attack percentage in a 25-18 win. The Norse responded in the second, taking a 25-21 set to even the match.
The Jaguars regained the lead with a pivotal 25-23 win in the third. They then delivered their most efficient offensive performance of the night in the fourth set, recording 21 kills with just two errors on 42 attempts. IU Indy hit .452 in the set to close out the match, 25-21.
In the fourth, Amanda Stephens came through with key kills during IU Indy's closing push. Grace Purichia set Stephens for the match-ending kill, sealing the 25-21 set and the Jaguars' first win at James T. Morris Arena.
Bailey Sinish paced the Jaguars with 20 kills and 20 points. Jillian Tippmann added 16 kills and three block assists, while Stephens contributed 14 kills, hit .448 and recorded four blocks, including one solo block. Chloe Macias also made an impact at the net, finishing with two solo blocks and two block assists.
Laura Roeder led IU Indy with 21 digs, and setter Grace Purichia distributed 55 assists. The Jaguars finished with 62 kills and a .266 team attack percentage, holding Northern Kentucky to a .179 mark.
IU Indy will return to the road Saturday, October 31, to face Purdue Fort Wayne.
