INDIANAPOLIS — The University of Indianapolis opened the 2026 campaign, securing two victories at the Ruth Lilly Center on Friday. The Greyhounds defeated Walsh University 3-1 before sweeping West Liberty University on day one of the UIndy Invitational.
UIndy 3, Walsh 1
UIndy's offense recorded 64 kills and a .294 hitting percentage to secure the victory. UIndy took an early lead, courtesy of a
Riley Laine kill from an assist by
Amaree Haralson, setting the tone for a competitive first set.
Maddie Lynch contributed significantly, securing multiple kills, including one that brought the score to 9-5.
Carly Fonda played a pivotal role with several assists, helping
Allison Jansen and others capitalize on Walsh's defensive errors. Despite a late push from Walsh, which included a service ace from Emerson Sheets narrowing the gap to 22-19, UIndy maintained its advantage. The set concluded with a service error from Walsh, giving UIndy a 25-20 victory.
After dropping set two, UIndy showcased a strong performance in the third set, pulling ahead with a series of scoring plays.
Makenzie Pflederer contributed early with a kill set by
Carly Fonda, setting the pace with a 1-0 lead.
Amaree Haralson played a pivotal role, delivering a service ace and assisting on kills by Pflederer and
Allison Jansen, helping the Greyhounds maintain a lead at 4-1.
Maddie Lynch and Jansen were key, each securing multiple kills, with Jansen's final kill, assisted by Fonda, bringing UIndy to a 24-20 advantage. The set concluded with Pflederer securing the final point off an assist from
Macy Bruton, giving UIndy a 25-20 set victory.
The Greyhounds seized control early in the fourth set, establishing a commanding 6-1 lead with strong blocking by
Riley Laine and
Makenzie Pflederer.
Maddie Lynch and
Allison Jansen delivered key kills, with
Carly Fonda providing crucial assists, extending UIndy's advantage to 10-3. UIndy's defense was formidable, with Laine and
Carson Bowling combining for multiple blocks. Despite a late push from Walsh, highlighted by kills from Brooke Smith and Maggie Rolwing, UIndy remained dominant. The set concluded with a decisive kill from Jansen, securing a 25-12 victory for UIndy.
UIndy 3, West Liberty 0
Against West Liberty, the Greyhounds recorded a hitting percentage of .387, including 13 kills in the first set. The match began with the Greyhounds taking an early lead following an attack error from West Liberty's Amira DuPree, followed by consecutive kills from
Maddie Lynch, assisted by
Carly Fonda. UIndy extended its advantage to 4-0 with a block by Lynch and
Riley Laine. Despite a brief response from West Liberty, the Greyhounds maintained control, with key contributions including a service ace by
Makenzie Pflederer and multiple kills by
Allison Jansen and
Carson Bowling. The home team capitalized on several errors from West Liberty, culminating in UIndy's
Kelsey McKenney blocking an attack by Kaelynn Burge to secure the set 25-12.
The Greyhounds established dominance early in the second set, opening with a decisive 6-0 run, which included a service ace from
Macy Bruton and a kill by Jansen. West Liberty struggled to gain momentum, with several attack errors contributing to UIndy's growing lead. The Greyhounds capitalized on these mistakes, with
Amaree Haralson and
Grace Portwood both adding kills to push the score to 14-4. Despite a late surge from West Liberty, featuring a service ace by Adrienne Staib, UIndy maintained its advantage. The set concluded with West Liberty committing a service error, giving the Greyhounds a 25-12 victory.
The Greyhounds secured a decisive victory in the third set against West Liberty, closing the match with a 25-17 win. The set began with a service ace from Portwood, setting the tone for UIndy's strong performance. Haralson contributed significantly with consecutive service aces, helping the Greyhounds build a substantial lead at 7-3. McKenney was instrumental, tallying multiple kills, including a pivotal point that extended the lead to 24-16. The final point was clinched by
Paige Boettcher with a kill assisted by Fonda, sealing UIndy's win.
INSIDE THE BOX
- Jansen recorded a game-high and career-best 17 kills in the Hounds' victory over the Cavaliers.
-UIndy capitalized on 10 service aces in their win over West Liberty, the most in a single game since the Hounds defeated Southwest Baptist in a five-set battle on 11/14/25.
- Sophomore
Carson Bowling recorded a career-high five kills against Walsh.
UP NEXT
The Hounds are back in action at Ruth Lilly on Saturday for day two of the UIndy Invitational, opening the day with a 2 PM match against Saginaw Valley State.
