TIFFIN, Ohio – The UIndy volleyball team (7-1) came back once again on Friday night, downing the host Tiffin Dragons (4-5) in five sets. Katie Furlong recorded a team-high 18 kills, while MaKenna Barnhart scooped up a match-best 27 digs.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The host Dragons came out firing on Friday, attacking at a .338 clip in the first two sets to grab a commanding 2-0 advantage. UIndy hit just .049 in the second frame as Tiffin rolled by, 25-12.
 
The third set was a battle, as the Greyhounds and Dragons clawed back and forth. A UIndy service error late in the frame gave Tiffin a 23-22 lead before kills from Furlong and Kyra Simmons breathed new life into the Greyhounds to win the game.
 
The Greyhounds' defense picked up steam in the fourth as the Crimson and Grey tallied five blocks, with Elizabeth Eads in on four stops. The offense followed suit in the fifth and deciding set, scoring eight points on three kills from Furlong and two from Taylor Jacquay. UIndy led as late as 13-7 before holding on to win 15-12.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
 
Jacquay (13) and Eads (10) joined Furlong with double-figure kills in the win, while Simmons was just on the outside with nine.
 
Alyssa Spears dished out 55 assists, the senior's third time this season with at least 50. The Heltonville, Ind., native also scooped up 12 digs for her third double-double in 2019.
 
The Greyhounds recorded 10 blocks against the Dragons, their second-highest mark of the season. The team's four solo stops is a season high, Simmons pacing the Greyhounds with two on Friday.
 
Barnhart's 27 digs is the most scoops by a Greyhound this season, as the redshirt-freshman averaged 5.4 per set. The Bloomington, Ill., product also went a perfect 14 for 14 on serve receptions.
 
HOUND BYTES
Barnhart, on the win: "I think it's good for us to face adversity early in the season because when it comes down to it at the end of the year, we need to know we can come back."
 
Barnhart, on her performance: "Defense is based on our block and I wouldn't be able to dig balls without being in system. Nothing was going to stop me tonight."
 
UP NEXT
UIndy continues the region-filled weekend at the University of Findlay tomorrow morning. First serve is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. against the Oilers.