ROMEOVILLE, Ill. – The UIndy volleyball team (21-1) did not blink against Midwest Regional juggernaut Hillsdale College (27-3, but ultimately dropped a five-set thriller in the first round of the NCAA tournament on Thursday evening on the campus of Lewis University.
 
The Greyhounds graduate seniors Jena Davis, Mary Grace Ertel, Julia Kruzan and Alyssa Spears, who combined to win 40 matches over the past two seasons to put UIndy volleyball back on the map.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
UIndy charged out to a one-set lead with a dominating 25-13 performance, but Hillsdale would win the next two frames. After five straight kills from Katie Furlong to force a deciding set, the Greyhounds received kills from Emma Jones and Kyra Simmons to lead 13-11 in the fifth. Unfortunately, the Chargers bounced back with four straight points to seal the win.
 
Taylor Jacquay (16) joined Furlong (17), Jones (12) and Simmons (12) with double-figure kills against Hillsdale, while MaKenna Barnhart (34) led a pack of five Greyhounds with 19 or more digs.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Furlong posted her first match hitting above .300 since Nov. 15 against Southwest Baptist.
- The setter Spears dished out 56 assists, while finishing with 19 digs to record her 12th double-double of her senior campaign.
- Barnhart nearly matched her season high of 35 digs back on Oct. 15 at Quincy, but finished with 34 and wrapped up her rookie campaign with 3.9 scoops/set.
 
MORE NOTES
Barnhart was named to the Midwest Regional All-Tournament team, announced Saturday night after the final match ... Hillsdale wins just its second match against UIndy in the regional, improving to 2-4 all-time against the Greyhounds during postseason play … Gillian Santana (23) and senior Jena Davis (21) combined for 44 digs … UIndy returns two All-GLVC outside hitters in 2020.