CLARION, Pa. – The UIndy volleyball squad dropped an in-region match against Ashland, 3-1 (25-22, 25-19, 13-25, 25-20), Saturday morning at the Tony Banner Memorial Tournament in Clarion, Pa.

UIndy (1-2) dropped a hard-fought opening set 25-22. Neither squad led by more than four points throughout the set, but Ashland's .314 hitting and nine individual kills from Alli Cudworth lifted the Eagles.

With the second set all square at 8-8, Ashland used a 12-4 run to spark a 25-19 win, taking a 2-0 match lead. The Greyhound attack struggled in the third, finishing with only nine total kills while Ashland racked up five blocks.

UIndy's offense came alive in a 25-13 win in the third set, however, and after five sub-.200 sets in a row (dating back to Friday evening) the Hounds hit a stellar .577 (17-2-26). Junior setter Natalie Wichern spread the ball around, allowing four separate Hounds to record three or more kills.

Trailing 2-1, the Greyhounds again found themselves in a fight to stay alive in the fourth set. Down 19-11, UIndy used a 6-2 run to pull within four. The comeback effort fell short, however, and the Eagles closed out the set 25-20 and took the match, 3-1.

Sophomore outside Kacee Salyers finished with 13 kills, seven digs and three aces. Junior Becca Lira led the team in both kills (15) and digs (13), adding two block assists. Wichern recorded 37 assists and eight digs.  

The Greyhounds wrap up their weekend at 5 p.m. today versus host Clarion.

NOTES
- The two squads have a lengthy history dating back to 1984, with Ashland holding a sizeable 18-7 series advantage prior to today's match. The last meeting was Oct. 12, 2012, a five-set victory for the Eagles.