COLUMBIA, MO. - No. 16 Indiana Wesleyan volleyball began their 2023 season with a pair of Top-25 victories in the Columbia College Hampton Inn Classic. In the first match, the Wildcats swept No. 13 Dakota Wesleyan University. In the second match, IWU took down No. 19 Central Methodist in three sets.
 

THE ESSENTIALS

• Location: Columbia College | Columbia, Mo.
• Records: IWU - 2-0, 0-0 CRL | Dakota Wesleyan - 4-1, 0-0 GPAC | Central Methodist - 0-2, 0-0 HAAC
• NAIA Top-25 Ranking: IWU - #16 | DWU - #13 | CMU - #19

MATCH ONE VITALS

• The Wildcats began the season with a quick 25-13 victory in their first set. A 15-3 run gave IWU full momentum in the set.
• The momentum carried over to set two, as IWU used a 6-0 run to end the set, winning 25-15. 
• Set three was close throughout as Dakota Wesleyan scored 3 straight to tie the set at 24. Two errors from DWU gave IWU the sweep.
• Eva Joldersma led the team with 14 kills. Marissa Mullins (9) and Martina Demarchi (8) also had strong offensive performances for the Wildcats.
• Mullins and Marta Zambetti led the team with 4 blocks each.
• Abbigail Porter led the team with 36 assists.
• Joldersma tallied 9 digs while Cadee Notter added 8 and Demarchi recorded 7.

MATCH TWO VITALS

• IWU fell behind early in set one, dropping the first 4 points of the set. However a 16-4 run gave the Wildcats the lead as they cruised to a 25-13 victory.
• IWU stayed hot by opening set two with an 18-7 lead, hanging on for a 25-16 win.
• In the third and final set the Wildcats once again got off to a fast start , taking a 19-11 lead as they eventually won 25-18.
• Marissa Mullins led the way offensively with 12 kills. Eva Joldersma added 11 and Martina Demarchi recorded 10.
• Joldersma posted 3 aces.
• Mullins and Marta Zambetti each tallied 4 blocks.
• Abbigail Porter led the team with 33 assists.
• Porter also led the team with 13 digs. Cadee Notter (12) and Joldersma (11) both finished with double digit digs.

MOATS PERSPECTIVE

• "Defense, serves and passes were outstanding," said Head Coach Candace Moats. " Abbie distributed the ball that gave us seams across the net!  There was a united teamwork all day, including those on the bench!"

LOOKING FORWARD

• The Wildcats No. 22 Ottawa University at 10:00 a.m. EST and No. 14 Columbia College at 2:00 p.m. EST tomorrow in the Columbia College Hampton Inn Classic.

NEXT HOME MATCH

• The Wildcats will host Cornerstone University in their home opener on September 2nd at 12 p.m.
• Individuals looking to attend can purchase tickets at IWUWildcats.com/Tickets

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