MARION, Ind. -- It was a rough night for the No. 7-ranked Indiana Wesleyan University volleyball team on Wednesday as the Wildcats dropped their first match of the season by a 3-1 score to visiting Grace (Ind.) College.

Indiana Wesleyan (7-1, 0-1 Crossroads League) won its first seven matches to begin the season but the Crossroads League opener for both programs brought a different result for IWU. Indiana Wesleyan had defeated two ranked teams and three teams that received votes in the national poll before Wednesday. Grace was the fourth opponent that has received votes in the poll.

Not helping Indiana Wesleyan on Wednesday was the loss of one starter plus very limited playing time for the Wildcats' leader in kills, junior outside hitter Rae Brandes. After missing the weekend with an injury, Brandes saw limited action in two sets tonight and had just three kills.

None of the four games held a margin of victory that was closer than six points. Grace (6-3, 1-0) won the first set 25-19 before Indiana Wesleyan knotted the match with a 25-15 win. But Grace would take control in the third and fourth sets with 25-16, 25-19 victories.

Junior middle hitter Kristine Egebrecht continued her strong play this season with match highs of 15 kills, a .344 attack percentage, and three solo blocks. Sophomore opposite hitter Alijah Mulitauopele contributed nine kills while senior outside hitter Rachel Quackenbush added eight. Mulitauopele served five aces and senior setter Yui Iwase assisted on 40 kills.

Indiana Wesleyan earned six blocks as a team, led by the strong play of Egebrecht on the net. Mulitauopele and freshman middle hitter Kristin Predajna each earned a pair of block assists and senior outside hitter Brooke Atwell finished with one solo block. Junior libero Rebecca Brandes had a match-high 27 digs while freshman defensive specialist Katie Holler tallied 10.

The Wildcats will now take to the road for their next three matches which are all Crossroads League competitions. Indiana Wesleyan will play at Goshen (Ind.) College on Friday night and then at Bethel (Ind.) College on Saturday afternoon.