WHEELING, W.Va. – UIndy volleyball began its rough final stretch of the regular season Tuesday evening, falling 3-0 (25-22, 25-16, 25-14) on the road at fifth-ranked Wheeling Jesuit.

The No. 5 Cardinals (29-2) – who have now won 23 matches in a row – are one of three nationally ranked opponents the Greyhounds will face in their final five contests.

UIndy (12-13) came out swinging against Wheeling Jesuit, hitting .349 (21-6-43) in the opening set while getting 16 combined kills from seniors Becca Lira and Shelby Ruffner. Three consecutive kills from Lira late in the match pulled the Hounds within 23-22, but the Cardinals scored the final two points to grab a 1-0 lead.

The second frame started as a close battle, but Wheeling used a 12-3 run midway through to put the set out of reach. UIndy's attacking percentage dipped to a .038, as the Hounds managed just five six kills to go with five errors on 26 swings.

In the third and final frame the Cardinals completed the sweep with a blistering .560 (15-1-25) hitting clip, as the Greyhound defense accumulated only eight digs without any blocks.

Lira paced UIndy with 14 kills while hitting .333, followed by Ruffner's 11 on an efficient .471 percentage. Sophomore Maggie Gibson finished with 30 assists, and also led the Hounds with seven digs.

The Greyhounds return home to host William Jewell Friday at 7 p.m., and will celebrate the careers of Lira and Ruffner during a Senior Day ceremony prior to first serve.