INDIANAPOLIS — IU Indy earned a place in the Horizon League Tournament on Friday night, defeating Northern Illinois 3-1 (25-19, 25-15, 18-25, 25-21) at James T. Morris Arena.
The Jags set the tone early in the first set. With the score tied 2-2, IU Indy built a lead behind a service ace from libero Laura Roeder and a pair of kills from Chloe Macias. The advantage grew to 15-10, and the Jags closed out the set, 25-19.
IU Indy carried that momentum into the second. After NIU pulled even at 6-6, the Jags strung together points to take an 8-6 lead and kept building it. Amanda Stephens delivered key kills during the run, and Grace Purichia's service ace helped push the margin to 18-12. The Jags finished the set 25-15.
NIU responded in the third, turning a close early set into a 25-18 win. IU Indy found its footing again in the fourth after trailing 11-7. A run of kills helped the Jags draw even at 12-12, and after the teams traded points, IU Indy moved ahead late. Jillian Tippmann knocked down a kill on the final play to seal the 25-21 set and the match.
Bailey Sinish led the Jags with 16 kills and five digs. Purichia contributed 40 assists, three service aces and 10 digs, while Macias added eight kills on a .583 hitting percentage and four blocks. Laura Roeder led the defense with 16 digs.
The win moves IU Indy to 12-15 overall and 7-7 in Horizon League play, and clinches the Jags' spot in the conference tournament. IU Indy next travels to Northern Kentucky to face the Norse on Tuesday, Nov. 10.
