COLUMBIA, MO. - No. 16 Indiana Wesleyan volleyball opened up the 2022 season in dramatic fashion Friday, taking down No. 3 Bellevue in a five-set thriller and No. 21 Grand View in a quick 3-0 sweep.

THE ESSENTIALS

• Location: Columbia College | Columbia, MO.
• Records: IWU - 2-0, 0-0 CRL | Bellevue - 3-2, 0-0 NSC | Grand View - 0-2, 0-0 HEART
• NAIA Top-25 Ranking: IWU - #16 | Bellevue - #3 | Grand View - #21

MATCH ONE VITALS

• Indiana Wesleyan fell behind 14-6 in the first set and were unable to overcome the deficit, losing 25-15.
• The Wildcats used a 10-4 run in the second set and an 11-4 run in the third set, for a 2-1 lead headed into set four. 
• IWU started the fourth set with a 5-1 lead, but Bellevue used a 10-3 run to overcome the slow start, winning the set 25-21. 
• The teams traded points for most of the final set, before IWU finished off the Bruins 25-23.
• IWU recorded 81 digs in the five-set match thriller, led by Cadee Notter (18), Ally Barkhaus (16), and Eva Joldersma (15).
• Abbi Porter led the team with 37 assists.
• The Bruins recorded 27 errors while IWU committed 20 of their own.
• In her first match in a Wildcat uniform, freshman Eva Joldersma led the team with 23 kills.

MATCH TWO VITALS

• After falling behind early in the first set, Indiana Wesleyan used a 6-3 and 14-6 run to pull ahead and win the first set.
• IWU jumped ahead in the second set, leading the entire way and winning the set 25-13.
• The Wildcats pulled away at the end of a back and forth third set, winning 25-20 to take down the Vikings for IWU's second straight Top-25 win.
• Martina Demarchi led the team with 12 kills, while Eva Joldersma added 10. 
• The team recorded 53 digs and was led by Ally Barkhaus with 17.
• Abbi Porter recorded 27 assists in the match

MOATS PERSPECTIVE

 "This ranked tournament required our young team to come in with an "All in" mindset and that is exactly what they did! Every single player showed up with a self-less attitude and effort that brought the team to another level! God was honored throughout the day! Everyone accepted the role they were given including those who were injured and could not play! I am so proud of these girls!"

LOOKING FORWARD

• The Wildcats begin day 2 of the Columbia College Tournament against Lindsey Wilson at 10 a.m. before facing off against No. 1 Missouri Baptist.

NEXT HOME MATCH

• The Wildcats will host Mount Vernon Nazarene University in their home opener on September 7th at 7 p.m.
• Individuals looking to attend can purchase tickets at IWUWildcats.com/Tickets

FOLLOW THE WILDCATS

• Follow Athletics (@IWUWildcats): Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
• Follow Volleyball (@IWUVball: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook