WINONA LAKE, Ind. -- All seemed lost early in the match for Indiana Wesleyan University volleyball on Saturday afternoon in Winona Lake, Indiana. IWU lost the first two sets to host Grace (Ind.) who was looking to tie Indiana Wesleyan atop the Crossroads League standings.

But the Wildcats responded in a huge comeback effort as they roared back to defeat the Lancers 3-2 and build a two-game lead in the league standings. After losing the first two sets by scores of 25-20 and 26-24, the Wildcats finished the come-from-behind victory with wins by 25-12, 25-17, 15-11.

Indiana Wesleyan head coach Candace Moats let the last three sets do the talking as she was nearly speechless. When asked about the win she responded, “I have one word to say:  heart.”

A Grace victory was set to tie the Crossroads League standings at the top as all the teams have played each other one time. But the stunning IWU victory makes the Wildcats a perfect 9-0 in the Crossroads League while Grace remains in second place at 7-2. Indiana Wesleyan improves to 14-3 overall and has won 13 straight matches. Grace falls to 15-6.

The lone senior on the squad, Alijah Mulitauopele (SR/Colorado Springs, Colo.), stepped up to lead the young Wildcats. Mulitauopele earned a match-best 16 kills with a .350 hitting percentage. It was her most kills in a match for her since hitting 19 at the NAIA National Championship two seasons ago.

Freshman Morgan Miller (FR/Goshen, Ind.) added 14 kills and Kylie Portera (SO/Lake in the Hills, Ill.) chipped in seven. Katey Holler (JR/Marion, Ohio) assisted on 32 IWU attacks and she also had 15 digs. Indiana Wesleyan blocked 12 Grace kills on Saturday and Remy Bucknor (SO/Euless, Texas) was a huge factor at the net with three solo blocks and five block assists. Ashlen Buck (SO/Brazil, Ind.) ended the match with 25 digs.

Indiana Wesleyan begins the second half of Crossroads League play at 7 p.m. on Wednesday with a rivalry game at Taylor (Ind.) in Upland, Indiana.