MARION, Ind. — Indiana Wesleyan Women's Volleyball claimed the Crossroads League Tournament Championship with a 3-0 victory over Mount Vernon Nazarene in Luckey Arena on Saturday afternoon. The triumph marked the Wildcats' third consecutive Crossroads League Championship, showcasing their dominance in the league. During this impressive three-year run, the Wildcats recorded a remarkable 62-1 record against Crossroads League opponents. Indiana Wesleyan's attack was led by a .333 hitting percentage in the first set, setting the pace for the sweep with set scores of 25-23, 25-22, 25-22.
 

THE ESSENTIALS

• Location: Indiana Wesleyan University | Marion, Ind.
• Records: IWU - 27-4, 17-1  | MVNU - 25-8, 14-4
• NAIA Top-25 Ranking: IWU - #8 | MVNU - #12

SET ONE

• Indiana Wesleyan gained an early advantage with a block by Marissa Mullins and Eva Joldersma, taking a 4-2 lead.  
• MVNU responded, tying the set at 14-14.
• The red and grey reclaimed the lead with a service ace from Autumn Colehour, moving ahead 16-14.     
• The home team closed the set with a kill from Joldersma and a block by Abbigail Porter, securing the 25-23 victory.

 

SET TWO 

• Indiana Wesleyan began with a strong start, securing the first three points, including a kill from Shae Williams.  
• The Cougars leveled the score at 3-3 following consecutive attack errors from IWU.  
• Indiana Wesleyan regained momentum with a 4-0 run, highlighted by two kills from Marin Sanchez, to lead 13-10.  
• After a tight exchange, IWU pulled ahead 24-21 with a service ace from Autumn Colehour and closed the set 25-22 on a Sanchez kill.

 

SET THREE 

• IWU took an early lead with a 4-1 run, highlighted by kills from Joldersma and Sanchez.     
• A service ace by Abbigail Porter extended the home team's advantage to 11-7, prompting a timeout from MVNU.  
• The Cougars battled back to tie the score at 19-19, capitalizing on multiple attack errors by Indiana Wesleyan.  
•  Indiana Wesleyan secured the set 25-22 after a decisive kill from Marissa Mullins, completing the sweep.

KEY WILDCATS 

• Abbigail Porter - 41 assists, 1 service ace
• Shae Williams -  11 kills, 2 blocks
• Eva Joldersma - 16 kills, 9 digs
• Marin Sanchez - 13 kills, .276 hitting percentage
• Cadee Notter - 23 digs, 3 assists, 1 service ace

 

MOATS PERSPECTIVE

• "This team is so special and I could not be more proud!  Everyone contributed to this victory!  Said Head Coach Candace Moats. "I am so happy for the seniors, their hard work, their incredible hearts and their leadership in this program!  It is a privilege to be their coach!  Thank you to everyone who came to cheer us on!  We do appreciate your support!"

 

LOOKING AHEAD

• The NAIA selection show is scheduled for 5:00 PM on Monday to determine who and where the Wildcats will play in the NAIA Opening Round. The Selection show can be viewed HERE.
• Links for tickets, live stats, and video will be available at IWUWildcats.com after the selection show.

 

FOLLOW THE WILDCATS

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