KOKOMO, Ind. – The IU Southeast volleyball team fell to IU Kokomo in four sets (22-25, 23-25, 25-22, 21-25) in a tightly-contested match on Friday night.
IU Kokomo took a 15-10 lead in the first set, but IU Southeast used a 5-0 run to tie the set at 15-15. IU Kokomo took a 21-18 advantage, but the Grenadiers rallied to cut the deficit to one at 21-20. The Cougars withstood the late Grenadier rally and took the first set 25-22.
The second set saw both teams deadlocked at 15-15 once again. IU Southeast took a 17-15 lead, but IU Kokomo answered to tie the set at 17-17. The Cougars took a 21-18 edge before the Grenadiers cut the lead to 21-20. IU Kokomo extended their lead to 24-20 before IU Southeast responded with three straight points to narrow the deficit to 24-23, but the Cougars held on to take the second set 25-23.
IU Kokomo took a 17-12 lead in set three, but the Grenadiers answered with an 8-3 run to tie the set at 20-20. IU Southeast used a quick run to jump out in front 23-21. IU Kokomo cut the lead to one, but the Grenadiers finished the set with two straight points to take the third set 25-22.
The Cougars took a 12-7 lead in the fourth set, but the Grenadiers cut the lead to one at 13-12. IU Kokomo extended their lead to four at 18-14, but IU Southeast scored three straight points to narrow the deficit to one once more at 18-17. IU Kokomo jumped out in front 20-17, but the Grenadiers would not go away, cutting the lead back to one at 20-19. The Cougars responded again, taking a 22-19 lead. The Grenadiers fought back to narrow the deficit to 22-21, but IU Kokomo finished on a 4-0 run to take the fourth and final set 25-21.
Ella Brooks led IU Southeast with 14 kills, followed by
Emilee Organ with 13 and
Haley Jaster with 10.
Haley Jaster led the Grenadiers with eight blocks.
Ella Brooks added five blocks, and
Abby Ruzanka had four. IU Southeast had 10 aces in the contest, led by
Isabelle George with five and
Lexi Striegel with three.
Cate Murphy had a team-high of 41 assists.
IU Southeast fell to 5-6 overall on the season and 0-2 in RSC play. The Grenadiers return to action on Tuesday at Brescia.
