SIOUX CITY, Iowa -- No. 16 Indiana Wesleyan University volleyball defeated IU Kokomo for the third time this season to set up an elimination game against top-seed Westmont (Calif.) on Thursday at the NAIA National Championship. IWU and Westmont enter the final Pool A match with 1-1 records and the winner advances to the 16-team single elimination tournament with a victory.

MATCH VITALS

• Score:  Indiana Wesleyan - 3   |   IU Kokomo - 0
  • Set 1:  IWU 25-18
  • Set 2:  IWU 25-22
  • Set 3:  IWU 25-20 
• Records:  Indiana Wesleyan 35-3   |   IU Kokomo 27-9
• Pool A Standings:  Columbia 2-0   |   Indiana Wesleyan 1-1   |   Westmont 1-1   |   IU Kokomo 0-2
• NAIA Top- 25 Rank:  Indiana Wesleyan - No. 16   |   IU Kokomo - Not ranked
• Location:   Tyson Events Center   |   Sioux City, Iowa 
  
   

STAT TRACKER

• Remy Bucknor - 10 kills, .450 attack percentage, 1 solo block, 3 block assists
• Kylie Portera - 6 kills, .333 attack percentage, 3 block assists
• Katie Elson - 21 assists, 1 ace, 6 digs
• Emily Workman - 17 assists, 6 digs
• Banner Rodgers - 26 digs
• Bianca Cifaldi - 8 kills, 5 block assists
  
   

MATCH MOMENTS

• Indiana Wesleyan and IU Kokomo had played two times during the regular season, September 2 in Marion and on October 5 in Kokomo. IWU won both matches 3-1.
• The Wildcats have won at least one match in pool play all five years the program has advanced to the NAIA National Championship final site. IWU is 8-10 all-time in NAIA National Championship play.
   

COACH MOATS SAYS…

• On beating IU Kokomo for the third time this season…

“It is tough to play someone three times after you beat them twice, especially on a big stage like this. I was proud of the fight and perseverance from the girls. I am especially proud of our seniors. They have led this whole season and they are certainly doing it here in Iowa.”
 

• On playing an elimination game tomorrow vs. top-ranked Westmont…

“Tomorrow is a huge opportunity for our team. A win tomorrow accomplishes our goal of advancing out of pool play and to play the No. 1 team in the country. We will love the fight and I know we will battle with the heart of champions. These girls are ready to honor their seniors by being ‘all in.’”
 

UP NEXT FOR VOLLEYBALL

• Indiana Wesleyan plays their third and final Pool A match on Thursday against No. 1 Westmont (Calif.) at 4 p.m. ET. Both teams are 1-1 in pool play while Columbia (Mo.) is 2-0 and IU Kokomo is 0-2. The winner of the match will advance out of Pool A along with Columbia and play in the 16-team single elimination tournament.