CEDARVILLE, Ohio – The UIndy volleyball team opened up the 2019 campaign with a pair of victories on Friday at the Callan Athletic Center, downing Anderson University and Northwood University each in four sets.
 
Junior Katie Furlong totaled 35 kills in the two matches, while hitting a staggering .462 on the attack. Redshirt-freshman Emma Jones made her collegiate debut against Northwood in the nightcap, registering 14 kills on .500 hitting against the Timberwolves.
 
UIndy 3, Anderson 1
The Greyhounds grabbed the first two sets against the Trojans to begin the season, with Taylor Jacquay posting nine kills and one solo block during that span. Furlong spread her kills out evenly, totaling either three or four in each set.
 
After Anderson snuck by UIndy with a 26-24 win in the third set, the Greyhounds held control throughout the fourth frame. Alyssa Spears dished out another 12 assists in the set, while Julia Kruzan posted six of her 13 kills in the final game.
 
Freshman Elizabeth Eads recorded four kills on .571 hitting in her debut.
 
UIndy 3, Northwood 1
The Greyhounds had to shake off some early jitters against the Timberwolves, falling behind a set before taking the match in four. Furlong stayed a constant force for UIndy, however, recording four kills on .455 hitting in the opening set.
 
UIndy hit exceptionally well the final three frames, committing just seven attacking errors. Jones – who was forced to sit out the 2018 season due to injury – recorded 10 kills herself, while Hannah Huppenbauer scored nine of her 10 kills.
 
Jacquay and Huppenbauer ended the match with consecutive kills as the Greyhounds attacked at a .393 clip in the fourth game.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Furlong totaled 34 kills in last season's first two games, including 12 against Anderson in Florence, S.C.
- Jacquay recorded a quiet 16 kills against the Trojans on match-high 45 attempts
- Jones added three blocks to her 14 kills against Northwood in her debut
- Spears inched her way closer to 3,000 career assists on Friday, handing out 91 helpers between both matches. The senior sits just 139 apples from the milestone
- Rookie Gillian Santana scooped up a UIndy-best 19 digs in the two wins
- The win over Northwood gives UIndy its first in-region victory of the season
 
HOUND BYTES
Katie Furlong, on starting the season 2-0: "This is huge. Having this confidence going into the rest of the season is going to be such a big piece to our success."
 
Emma Jones, on her UIndy and college debut: "It's so fun, it's amazing. I always though about quitting, but now I know my purpose and it's so much fun."
 
Jones, on her constant happiness while playing: "I get so much joy out of playing volleyball, being with the team and killing the ball. I don't know, I just love it."
 
UP NEXT
The Greyhounds wrap up the weekend tomorrow afternoon at 1:30 p.m. against host Cedarville University at Callan Athletic Center. The crowd is expected to be raucous because it appears that the arena is filled to capacity tonight as the Yellow Jackets battle the Trojans of Anderson.