ANCHORAGE, AK – The long awaited 2021 season got underway for University of Indianapolis volleyball on Friday night.  The Hounds suffered a pair of three-set losses to Alaska Fairbanks and Alaska Anchorage at the Seawolf Invitational hosted by Alaska Anchorage.

HOW IT HAPPENED vs. Fairbanks
With the first set tied at 17, the Hounds utilized a 4-0 run capped off by a kill from Emma Jones to jump out to a 21-17 lead.  After trading the next five points UIndy held a 23-20 lead, but the Nanooks closed out the first set with the final five points.

The Hounds couldn't find their groove in the ensuing set, unable to score two consecutive points in the second set loss.  Trailing by three in the third, Fairbanks pulled away with a quick 4-0 run.  The Hounds fought back to make it 18-21, but Fairbanks record the final four points to steal the win.

Grace Hegwood and Elizabeth Eads both recorded six kills in the first match while Alex Equihua dished out 16 assists along with one service ace.  UIndy tabbed seven blocks led by Hannah Huppenbauer with four.

HOW IT HAPPENED vs. Anchorage
Facing a 13-8 deficit, the Hounds took 10 of the next 11 points to jump out to a 18-14 lead.  The run featured four service aces with Gillian Santana and Lauren Peal serving up two.  The Seawolves then recorded six straight points to make it 24-20.  Lauren Cullison halted Anchorage's momentum with a pair of kills before the Seawolves snuck away with the 25-22 win.

The second set saw nine lead changed before Anchorage pulled away with a pair of 5-0 runs.  Anchorage hit .256 en route to a 25-16 victory.  A service ace from Makenna Barnhart put the Hounds within two in the final frame, but Anchorage pulled away with another 5-0 run.  Jones stopped the run with her 10th kill of the day before Anchorage recorded the final six points of the match.

OPENING DAY STATS
- Three Hounds recorded double digit kills led by Hegwood with 15.  Jones and Eads both recorded 10.
- Setter Alex Equihua averaged 7.17 assists per set, reaching 43 assists on the day.
- UIndy served up six service aces on the day led by Santana and Peal with two a piece.
- The duo of Santana and Equihua combined for 49 digs on the day.
- Jones and Huppenbauer paced the Hounds with four blocks each.

UP NEXT
The Hounds close out the Seawolf Invitational with a pair of games on Saturday, facing Central Missouri at 4 pm ET followed by Biola at 9 pm ET.  Both matches will be streamed for free on the Alaska Anchorage YouTube page.