BIG RAPIDS, Mich. – The UIndy volleyball team (2-0) opened the 2023 season on a high note, earning a pair of wins at the Ferris State Invitational. The Greyhounds first swept in-region Malone, dominating the Pioneers in straight sets, before battling back to knock off 2022 NCAA tournament program Adelphi in four frames.
 
Lauren Cullison set a new program record with eight service aces in the sweep against Malone, while the team finished 21, the second-most ever in a match in UIndy history.
 
UIndy 3, Malone 0
The Greyhounds impressed in their season debut, handling the Pioneers in straight sets inside Bulldog Arena. After a tight first frame, UIndy held Malone to just 13 points and .000 hitting over the final two sets.
 
Hannah Sabotin attacked at a .714 clip with six kills from the middle, adding three block assists and two service aces.
 
The trio of Cullison, Elizabeth Eads, and Grace Hegwood, henceforth known as "The Southside Smackers," combined for 25 kills and three total blocks. Defensively, the Greyhounds limited the Pioneers to just 12 kills over three sets, scooping up 75 percent of Malone's attack attempts that failed to end with a block.
 
Freshman libero Ellie Spang led the team with 11 digs, while tallying five service aces herself. Joining Spang among true freshmen to see the court in the win were Marin Dixon, Riley Laine, Addison Putt, and Allie Wuestenfeld. Dixon dished out five assists, while Putt tallied one dig.
 
UIndy 3, Adelphi 1
It was a battle the entire way, with a pair of extra-point sets highlighting the contest between the Hounds and Panthers, the latter of whom advanced to the East Region final just a season ago. Adelphi earned a 30-28 victory to open the evening, however, UIndy rattled off three straight sets – including a 28-26 win in the third – to claim its second match on Friday.
 
Claire Morris joined Hegwood with a double-double, dishing out 39 assists and recording 16 digs; the outside hitter added 15 scoops to her 16 kills. Spang led five Greyhounds with double-figure digs, tallying 27 in the win.
 
UIndy dominated in the final set, hitting .385 compared to Adelphi's -.056 clip. Cullison recorded six of her 14 kills in the fourth, finishing the match with a .393 attacking percentage. The Crimson and Grey controlled the net, especially in the final 20 minutes, stopping five Adelphi attacks. Sabotin led the team with six total blocks, including a pair of solo stops.

Rookie Macy Bruton handed out a helper in first collegiate action, making an appearance in the fourth set. 

HOUND BYTES

10 kills and a PROGRAM-RECORD 8 aces? That'll play! pic.twitter.com/zDe37hbVPV

— UIndy Volleyball (@UIndyVball) September 1, 2023

MORE NOTES
The team's 21 service aces marked the second-most ever in a match in UIndy history, six behind the program record of 27 back in 2003 against West Virginia State … UIndy now leads the all-time series with Malone, 2-0, first earning a sweep in 2018 at the Midwest Region Crossover … Friday night marked the first-ever meeting between UIndy and Adelphi in the sport of women's volleyball … Sophia Parlanti recorded the first double-double of her UIndy career against Adelphi, finishing with 12 digs and 10 kills ... Cullison finished with double-digit kills in both wins and has now tallied 10 or more 24 times in her career.
 
UP NEXT
The Greyhounds wrap up the weekend Saturday with two in-region contests in Big Rapids. UIndy battles Wayne State tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. from Jim Wink Arena at Ferris State.