Box Score MARION, Ind. -- The boisterous fans in Luckey Arena were treated to a five set epic on Friday night between Indiana Wesleyan University and No. 9-ranked Taylor (Ind.) University in volleyball action.
The Wildcats nearly pulled off the upset despite dropping the first two sets. IWU fell by scores of 21-25, 19-25, 25-15, 25-19 and 16-18.
To accommodate the many fans from both Indiana Wesleyan and Taylor, extra bleachers were pulled out. Students from both schools brought a fever pitch into Luckey for the huge riv
alry match in the early Mid-Central College Conference showdown.
Taylor gained all the momentum after two sets and seemed poised to send the large contingent of fans home early with a three set sweep. But Indiana Wesleyan roared back to capture sets three and four and set Luckey in a frenzy heading into the fifth set.
In the final set, Indiana Wesleyan held an 11-9 lead and gained match point on three different occasions. Each time Taylor withstood the strong play by Indiana Wesleyan to escape with the five set victory.
Four different Wildcats recorded double digit kills, led by freshman outside hitter Rae Brandes with 16 and junior middle hitter Peyton Thompson with 15. Sophomore outside hitter Brooke Atwell and freshman middle hitter Kristine Egebrecht each contributed 10.
Thompson added four service aces to go along with three solo blocks and one block assist. Sophomore setter Yui Iwase tallied 50 assists and freshman defensive specialist Rebecca Brandes led the team with 20 digs.
Indiana Wesleyan falls to 3-4 on the season and 0-2 in the MCC. Taylor improves to 9-1 overall and 2-0 in conference play.
The Wildcats return to the court tomorrow night at 6 pm. as IWU hosts Huntington (Ind.) University at Luckey Arena.
Click here for box score
