INDIANAPOLIS — The Hounds kicked off GLVC play, going 2-0 in the Ruth Lilly Fitness center over the weekend defeating Illinois Springfield 3-2 on Friday night, before sweeping the Quincy Hawks on Saturday.
After scooping up 48 digs over the Hounds' eight-set weekend, Defensive Specialist
Macy Bruton surpassed the 1,000-dig milestone. The senior currently sits at 1,006 career digs, approaching the top-15 in program history in the category.
UINDY 3, UIS 2
After UIS moved ahead 11-10 in the fifth set, the Greyhounds answered with five straight points, highlighted by kills from
Shelby Emich and
Maddie Lynch and back-to-back service aces from
Amaree Haralson, to take a 15-11 lead. The Greyhounds maintained their advantage with a
Kelsey McKenney/Lynch block and kills from Lynch and
Makenzie Pflederer, finishing the opening set 25-20.
The second set saw the Greyhounds turn a 15-12 deficit into a 17-16 lead with contributions from Lynch, Pflederer, and Haralson. Although
Allison Jansen tied it at 19 with a kill, the Prairie Stars scored the final six points to win the set 25-19.
Indy responded strongly in the third set, starting with an 8-0 run fueled by
Grace Portwood serving seven consecutive points. UIS fought back but could not overcome the Greyhounds, who secured the set 25-23 with a set point conversion from Pflederer.
In the fourth set, UIndy built a 13-9 lead following a four-point run from Jansen's serve, aided by kills from Pflederer and a block from Laine/Blomberg. However, Ill. Springfield rallied with six straight points to take a 15-13 lead. Despite a late push from the Greyhounds, the Prairie Stars closed out the set 25-21.
In the decisive fifth set, after Ill. Springfield tied it at 2-2, UIndy answered with four consecutive points, including two kills from Portwood, ultimately finishing the set 15-7 with a kill from McKenney.
UINDY 3, Quincy 0
In the match against Quincy, UIndy showcased their dominance, finishing with 47 kills and a .258 hitting percentage while holding Quincy to 32 kills and a .085 mark. After the Hawks leveled the first set at 17, the Greyhounds surged to win seven of the next eight rallies to reach set point at 24-18, closing the set 25-19 with a block that forced a Quincy error.
In the second set, UIndy overcame an early deficit to take a 9-6 lead, with Lynch and Jansen contributing crucial kills. After Quincy pulled within 20-18, back-to-back kills from McKenney and Lynch, followed by a block, pushed the set to 23-18, and the Greyhounds finished at 25-19.
The third set began with the Hawks scoring the first point, but the Greyhounds quickly took control, winning seven rallies in a row to go up 7-1 during Portwood's serve. Lynch's three kills helped maintain the lead, and Jansen sealed the set 25-20 with kills for the final two points.
INSIDE THE BOX
- Portwood was the match leader in digs with 27 against the Prairie Stars. The freshman also recorded season highs in kills (17), assists (2) and blocks (3).
-Harlson recorded a season-high 52 assists while also hitting a season's best four service aces.
-Lynch hit above .300 in both matches, leading all players with 18 against Illinois Springfield
UP NEXT
The Greyhounds travel to Kirksville, Missouri, to face Truman on Friday, Sept. 25, at 7 p.m.
