MUNCIE, Ind. – The IU Indy volleyball team opened play at the Ball State Tournament on Friday evening, falling to Northwestern in straight sets (20-25, 20-25, 23-25) inside Worthen Arena. The loss moves the Jaguars to 5-7 on the season.
Bailey Sinish paced the IU Indy attack with a match-high 16 kills while hitting .278.
Jillian Tippmann added 11 kills, nine digs and two service aces, while
Chloe Macias finished with seven kills on a .375 hitting percentage and added three block assists.
Grace Purichia directed the offense with 31 assists and two aces, while
Laura Roeder led the back row with 13 digs.
Northwestern took control early in the opening set, building a 10-5 advantage. The Jaguars battled back, using a Tippmann ace to even the frame at 15-15 before the Wildcats responded with a 5-1 run. IU Indy later cut the deficit to one at 20-19 following back-to-back kills from Sinish, but Northwestern closed out the set, 25-20.
The second set featured seven ties and two lead changes as the two teams traded points early. IU Indy held a 5-4 advantage following a Macias kill and remained within one at 9-8 before Northwestern began to pull away. The Wildcats stretched their lead to 16-11 and eventually reached set point at 24-17. The Jaguars fought off three straight set points, including a Macias kill and a Macias-Patterson block, before Northwestern finished the frame, 25-20.
IU Indy put together its strongest start of the match in the third set. A Tippmann service ace gave the Jaguars a 9-6 advantage before an
Elle Patterson ace and kills from Macias and Sinish helped extend the lead to 14-7. Northwestern answered with six consecutive points to pull within one, but IU Indy maintained a 16-13 edge before the Wildcats put together another run to take a 20-16 lead.
The Jaguars continued to battle down the stretch. After Northwestern reached match point at 24-21, Patterson and Sinish recorded consecutive kills to bring IU Indy within one at 24-23. The Wildcats responded on the next rally, getting a kill from Mara Stiglic to seal the 25-23 set and the straight-set victory.
IU Indy will next face the Ball State Cardinals tomorrow, Sept. 19 at 6:00 PM.
