CEDARVILLE, Ohio – It was never going to be easy on Saturday afternoon, as the UIndy volleyball team concluded opening weekend against host Cedarville University with a five-set thrilling victory. The Yellow Jackets grabbed a 2-0 advantage before the Greyhounds clawed their way back to win their third straight match to begin the 2019 campaign.
 
Katie Furlong led all attackers with 26 kills on her way to being named the invite's Most Valuable Player, as the junior totaled 61 on .380 hitting in three matches. Julia Kruzan and Alyssa Spears were also named to the all-tournament team.

All-Tournament Team
UIndy: Furlong (MVP), Spears, Kruzan
Anderson: Hannah Worsham, Emily Conlin
Cedarville: Lauren Willow
Northwood: Karlie Wengorovius
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Cedarville controlled the first-set happenings, attacking at a .346 clip and limiting the UIndy offense to nine kills and 11 errors. The Greyhounds looked to build some momentum in the second set, knotting it at eight apiece. However, Cedarville had other ideas, scoring five of the next six to eventually take the 2-0 lead.
 
A surprise burst of energy came off the bench for UIndy, as freshman Grace Hegwood made her debut in the second set against Cedarville. Hegwood immediately tallied her first kill, but it was defense that helped facilitate the UIndy comeback. The Yellow Jackets hit just .189 in the third frame, while the Greyhounds picked up four blocks to force a fourth set.
 
The defense was steady in the fourth set, as the Greyhounds scooped up 13 attacks to lead to a .419 hitting percentage. The Yellow Jackets inched closer as the game neared its end, but it was the Greyhounds that forced a fifth and deciding frame. After Cedarville scored to trail the Greyhounds by two, rookie Elizabeth Eads delivered a kill to seal the Yellow Jackets' fate.
 
UIndy has not lost a five-set match since October 2016.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
-Hegwood finished with nine kills and 10 digs in her debut, while hitting .208 on the attack. The rookie also recorded a key solo block in the fifth set.
- Along with her 26 kills, Furlong tallied two solo stops and two digs.
- Julia Kruzan remained a steady option from the right side, finishing with another 13 kills on Saturday. The senior posted a 13-kill performance in the opener yesterday against Anderson.
- Jena Davis and Gillian Santana each recorded 16 digs in the win, with the former assuming libero duties for the first time in 2019.
- Spears handed out 52 of the team's 54 assists against Cedarville, as the Heltonville, Ind., native is now within 87 helpers from 3,000 in her career.
 
HOUND BYTES
Spears, on coming back to win in five sets with primarily four freshmen on the court: "Whenever I was up in the front row with two freshmen, I told them I couldn't ask for a better setup. They're not playing like they're freshmen; they're playing with that confidence and that's a big part of how we bond as a team."
 
Hegwood, on shaking off the nerves in her debut: "I could tell the team had my back and they wanted the best for me.
 
Hegwood, on Spears crediting her with the play that sparked the comeback: "We all came together and forgot about our mistakes and just focused on making the next play."
 
UP NEXT
The Greyhounds will host the fifth-annual UIndy Invitational next weekend in Ruth Lilly Fitness Center and Nicoson Hall. Matches will span all day on Friday and Saturday.