HILLSDALE, Mich. – Playing its third and fourth in-region opponents of the weekend, the UIndy volleyball managed a split on final day of the 2017 Hillsdale Season Opener Tournament. The Greyhounds (1-3) started the day with a 3-0 sweep of Saginaw Valley (1-2) before dropping a 3-1 decision to Findlay (4-0).

HOW IT HAPPENED
UIndy earned their first win of the season in convincing fashion, limiting Saginaw Valley to a paltry .000 hitting percentage. The Cardinals managed just 31 combined points through the first two sets.
 
In the third, the teams were gridlocked at 23-23, as Saginaw looked to extend the match. UIndy scored to final two points however, including a kill by freshman Katie Furlong, to complete the sweep.
 
Senior Teigan Flaws led the team with nine kills and a .538 attack percentage.
 
In the finale, Findlay completed a perfect 4-for-4 run in the tournament, besting the Hounds in four sets. UIndy fell behind two sets to none, but battled back by hitting .357 in a 25-22 win in the third.

Graduate-transfer Alexis Waugh (pictured) had 24 assists, freshman Olivia Martin compiled 21 digs, while sophomore right-side Julia Kruzan had 12 kills and three blocks.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
vs. Saginaw Valley
- The Cardinals' .000 hitting percentage (27 K, 27 E, 98 TA) marked the lowest total by a Greyhound opponent since they held Wisconsin-Parkisde to -.008 back in the 2012 GLVC Tournament.
- Ten Greyhounds were credited with at least one block assist.
- Sophomore-transfer Rachel Irbe strung together three consecutive aces at one point in the second.
 
vs. Findlay
- After amassing a weekend-high 21 digs versus Findlay, Martin became the first true freshman to lead UIndy in digs in each of season's first four games since former-All-American Kyleigh (Turner) Gerlach in 2006.
- Irbe took 34 swings versus Findaly, most by a Greyhound on the weekend.
 
HOUND BYTES
From Coach Reed: "We did a great job of controlling the match against Saginaw Valley. We really started to show what we're capable of and everyone did their job very well.
 
"In the evening match versus Findlay, we showed a lot of great volleyball at times. We also showed some inconsistency in serve receive and that resulted in a loss against a very good team.
 
"I'm really excited for this group, and we're on the right track. This was a great weekend. We saw a lot of positive things. We're all looking forward to a great week of practice and getting back to it at home next weekend.
 
Reed went on to comment on a few of his players. On freshman libero Olivia Martin, the fifth-year head man said, "Olivia had a really nice weekend and stepped up big time for us as the anchor of our defense. I was impressed with her first weekend of college volleyball, and she's going to keep getting better.
 
"Julia Kruzan and Anna Fehribach had really nice matches today and are starting to get into a rhythm. We'll definitely be counting on their consistency as the season goes on.
 
"As always Katie Voelz provided a lot of speed and power in the middle. She brings so much energy and is really dynamic off of one foot."

ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Allyssa Van Wienen – Hillsdale
Amanda Winner – Findlay
Hailee Olson – Findlay
Laura De Marchi – Michigan Tech
Katie Voelz – Uindy

Kara Vyletel Hillsdale – Tournament MVP
Taylor Wiese Hillsdale – Libero of the Tournament
 
UP NEXT
The Hounds host their own tournament next week, as seven other teams will evade campus Sept. 8-9 to play a total of 16 matches at the 2017 UIndy Invitational. Watch for a complete preview on UIndyAthletics.com as the event approaches.