MARION, Ind. -- The Best Western Wildcat Volleyball Classic is underway at Indiana Wesleyan University. Nine teams from four states will each play four matches over Friday and Saturday at Luckey Arena.

IWU opened the weekend classic with a 3-1 victory over Cornerstone (Mich.) University by scores of 25-20, 25-10, 22-25 and 25-20. In their final match, IWU lost a five set thriller to No. 23-ranked Malone (Ohio) University by scores of 25-18, 29-31, 25-20, 24-26 and 12-15.

Freshman outside hitter Rae Brandes collected a double-double against Cornerstone with a team-best 13 kills while adding 12 digs. Sophomore setter Yui Iwase also had a double-double with team-highs of 39 assists and 14 digs.

The Wildcats dominated the net all match long and blocked 17 attacking attempts by the Golden Eagles. Junior outside hitter Kate Denlinger earned five block assists and junior middle hitter Peyton Thompson had four. Freshman middle Kristine Egebrecht contributed one solo block and three block assists for the Wildcats.

Thompson added nine kills while Denlinger and Egebrecht each supplied eight in the four set win over Cornerstone (7-7).

Against Malone, Indiana Wesleyan was able to win the first set and third sets to gain the match lead. But Malone responded with wins in the final two sets to escape and continue their undefeated season at 15-0.

Five different Wildcats recorded double digit kills, led by sophomore outside hitter Brooke Atwell with 19 and Rae Brandes with 17. Thompson chipped in with 13, Egebrecht had 12 and Denlinger added 11. The Wildcats finished with a .303 hitting percentage in the match.

Iwase put up 68 assists and 15 digs while Rebecca Brandes led the team with 23 digs.

Indiana Wesleyan (5-6) completes the Best Western Wildcat Classic on Saturday with a pair of matches. IWU plays Cedarville (Ohio) University at 10 a.m. and finishes the classic with Mount Vernon Nazarene (Ohio) University at 2:30 p.m.