EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The UIndy volleyball team (12-7, 7-3 GLVC) earned its first conference road victory of the season on Saturday afternoon against Southern Indiana (8-10, 2-10 GLVC). Sophomore Katie Furlong also got back on track in the win, totaling a match-high 20 kills on .375 hitting.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The opening frame featured 11 tie scores before the Hounds pulled away at the end to win, 25-22. Furlong set the tone for UIndy in that first set, tallying eight kills and scooping up four digs. Consecutive kills from Taylor Jacquay and Julia Kruzan put the Greyhounds at set point before an attacking error by the Screaming Eagles gave the visitors the early advantage.
 
UIndy clawed the entire second set after spotting Southern Indiana a 4-0 lead. Down 19-14, the Hounds earned seven of the next nine points to even the frame at 21, but saw a two-point deficit soon after as the Screaming Eagles sought set point. A kill by Katie Voelz tied the game at 24, and the senior gave the Hounds a commanding two-set lead.
 
The third set proved to be nearly the opposite of the previous one, with the Greyhounds grabbing a 2-1 lead and not surrendering it until the Screaming Eagles knotted it at 14. Southern Indiana was on the brink of forcing a fourth frame, leading 23-21 before Furlong and Voelz killed UIndy to a sweep.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Furlong's 20 kills marked the first time since September 7 against Quincy the Galena, Ill. native has totaled at least 20 terminations. It is the sophomore's fifth time this season totaling at least 20 kills in a match.
 
Kruzan proved to be a difference maker on Saturday, reaching double-figure kills for the first time since September 15 against Bellarmine. The junior hit .292 in the win, while picking up five digs from the right side.
 
Alyssa Spears dished out 48 assists against the Screaming Eagles, the first time the junior setter has tallied as many helpers since the second conference match of the season against Truman. The Heltonville, Ind. native averaged 16 dimes per set, raising her season mark to 11.39 per frame.
 
Voelz and Emily Ellis provided a big spark in the middle, totaling 13 kills and combining for eight blocks. Each recorded a solo stop in the win, with Ellis now joining Furlong for the team lead in the category with 12.
 
HOUND BYTES
Sophomore outside hitter Katie Furlong:
"Today was different. We had the mindset we were going to go out there and win no matter what and I think our fight in the last few points of the sets proved that we are not going to lose on the road again."
 
"Every match I try not to think about the previous ones before it won't help me get better. Today I went in being positive the entire time and cheered for my teammates, and did everything I could do internally knowing the outside stuff would take care of itself."
 
Head coach Jason Reed:
"We really showed a lot of fight today. This is a big win for us, to get one on the road is a big boost for this team. It didn't matter who the opponent was today, we knew we were going to come out and play our best and take the victory."
 
"By looking at the stat sheet, you wouldn't think Taylor Jacquay hit .000 in the match because of her attitude and how well she played in the third set."
 
"I'm more proud of how Katie Voelz handled last night and am not surprised in any way that she came out today and played as well as she did."
 
UP NEXT
Next weekend the Hounds will stay in the Circle City and play three in-region matches at The Volleyball Academy in the Midwest Region Crossover. Matchups for the Crossover will be determined tonight at the conclusion of each match played by teams in the GLVC, GLIAC, and G-MAC.