INDIANAPOLIS – The UIndy volleyball team gave a raucous crowd a thriller on Friday evening, defeating Southwest Baptist in five sets to celebrate Senior Night the right way.
 
Prior to the match, the UIndy coaching staff honored six seniors: players Kaitlin Fasbender, Lauren Gips, Claire Morris, and Paige Parlanti, as well as managers Emily Boyette and Emma Morris.
 
A recorded crowd of 557 were in attendance for the wins, the highest total present in Ruth Lilly Fitness Center for a Greyhound Volleyball contest since December 2012.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The fans fueled the early momentum for the home team, rolling to a quick 2-0 lead looking for a Senior Night sweep. Parlanti knocked down nine of her 14 kills in those first pair of frames, while the Hounds attacked at a .347 clip.
 
The difference was night and day over the third and fourth sets, as the Bearcats muted the noise and limited the Greyhound offense to a paltry .054 hitting percentage. Southwest Baptist scooped up 12 UIndy attacks, while blocking three others.
 
The highlight of the night was the fifth set as the hour past 8 Eastern. Maddie Lynch maintained her steady demeanor in the deciding game, adding three more kills to her match total of 13, including the finish that ended the match. Parlanti's final two kills of the evening – just before Lynch's winner – officially gave her the team's highest total in the win.
 
Freshman setter Carly Fonda, who split time with Morris over the first two-plus sets, dished out 31 assists overall and eight in the fifth frame. Nine Hounds recorded a kill in the win, including Maddie Berger and Paige Boettcher in key moments off the bench.
 
INSIDE THE BOX
- Fonda had yet another match where she proved to be an offensive threat, totaling six kills against zero errors. It is the seventh time this fall Fonda has totaled at least five kills and the 18th instance she has recorded a kill without an error against her.
- The middle duo of Fasbender and Gips played big at the net, totaling 13 blocks between them. Each of them made three solo stops, while Fasbender led the team with four assisted blocks.
- Seven Greyhounds combined for 10 service aces, led by Macy Bruton's three. The junior libero led all players with 19 digs, while also chipping in five helpers.
 
UP NEXT
UIndy closes out the regular-season slate on Saturday, welcoming Drury to the Circle City for a 3 o'clock matchup. The Panthers knocked off Lewis in four sets on Friday.
 
The Greyhounds have clinched a top-four seed in the upcoming GLVC Championship Tournament. The complete bracket and schedule will be released later this weekend following the conclusion of Saturday's matches.