INDIANAPOLIS – The UIndy volleyball team (12-4, 4-2 GLVC) handed No. 6 Lewis (16-2, 5-1) its first conference loss of the season on Friday evening at Ruth Lilly Fitness Center, knocking off the Flyers in five sets for the second straight season.
 
The win over the Flyers is the highest-ranked win the Greyhounds have pulled off in head coach Jason Reed's tenure.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Greyhound defense stepped up in the first set, limiting the Lewis attack to a miniscule .034 hitting percentage, while recording four blocks as a unit. An attack error by Kyra Simmons gave Lewis set point at 24-23, but the freshman middle capped the Greyhound comeback with a solo block after a pair of visitor hitting errors.
 
Taylor Jacquay recorded six of her match-best 18 kills in the second set, including the final two putaways of the frame to give UIndy a commanding 2-0 advantage over the sixth-ranked Flyers. MaKenna Barnhart, who scooped up seven digs in the opening set, picked up another six in the second.
 
Lewis proved why it is one of the best teams in the country, failing to go away without a fight. Alexandra Preuss and Colleen Wilhelm combined for 16 kills in sets three and four to force a fifth frame in Ruth Lilly, while holding the Greyhounds to a .116 attack percentage as a team.
 
UIndy brought the energy back in the final frame, as Elizabeth Eads was in on two of the team's three stops during the fifth set. Katie Furlong led the team with three kills in the game, including the final point that sealed the Greyhound victory.
 

?? | HOUNDS COMPLETE THE UPSET!

Jacquay tallies 1??8?? kills and Spears finishes with 5??4?? ?? as @UIndyVball tops #6?? Lewis in 5 sets! pic.twitter.com/9wPrSgB2Vv

— UIndy Athletics (@UIndyAthletics) October 12, 2019

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Four Greyhounds recorded double-figure digs, as Barnhart led all players with 21.
- Senior setter Alyssa Spears posted her sixth double-double of the season, totaling 54 assists and 12 digs.
- The UIndy defense held Lewis middle Ava Venema to only .200 hitting after the junior has averaged a .390 attack percentage this season.
- Jacquay's 18 kills is the most the junior has tallied since her 16 in the season-opening win over Anderson.
- Jena Davis scored three of the team's six service aces.
 
MORE NOTES
It is the second straight home match against Lewis that Jacquay has led the team in kills … Flyers' outside hitter Preuss led the team with 17 kills … the win over UIndy is the team's highest-ranked win since the Greyhounds topped No. 2 Tampa in 2012.
 
UP NEXT
The Greyhounds' tough week concludes tomorrow afternoon when Illinois Springfield visits Ruth Lilly Fitness Center. The Prairie Stars competed at the UIndy Invitational earlier this season, but last played the Greyhounds in Indianapolis during the 2017 campaign.
 
First serve is scheduled for 3 p.m.