GRAYSON, Ky. - IU Southeast volleyball held off a furious comeback by Kentucky Christian in their RSC opener, defeating the Knights in five sets Friday night.
Nicole Stratford had a game-high 18 kills, followed by Avynn Belding with 13 and Kylea Donoho with eight. Carly Mason had a game-high 25 assists, and Ella Davidson had a game-high three serving aces.
With Friday's win, IU Southeast is 4-7 overall and 1-0 in conference play. Coach Taylor Wilson-Evanczyk's team will be back in action on Tuesday night for a 7:00 p.m. match at Georgetown.
Set 1: IU Southeast 25, KCU 15
The Grenadiers got out to a 10-5 lead to open the match, then the Knights went on a 8-3 run to make it 13-11. IU Southeast responded to the Knights' run with a 12-4 run to win the set.
Set 2: IU Southeast 25, KCU 17
Set two saw the Grenadiers once again jump out to a 13-11 lead and then go on a big run to put the set away. IU Southeast scored eight of the next ten points and cruised to take a 2-0 match lead.
Set 3: KCU 25, IU Southeast 21
Kentucky Christian jumped out to a 9-4 lead, then the Grenadiers went on a 7-3 run to cut the lead to 12-11. The Knights pulled away after a 5-0 run and never left the Grenadiers get back within two.
Set 4: KCU 25, IU Southeast 22
After KCU jumped out to a 6-2 lead, the Grenadiers went on a 13-6 run. Later, IU Southeast held a slim, 21-20 lead. The Knights came back with four consecutive points and would go on to win set four and force a fifth set.
Set 5: IU Southeast 15, KCU 4
IU Southeast got off to a fast start in set five, scoring five of the first six points. Shortly after, the Knights cut the lead to 6-3, and the Grenadiers went on a 9-1 run to close out the match.
