MARION, Ind. — Indiana Wesleyan Women's Volleyball swept Stephens in the NAIA Opening Round with a 3-0 victory, posting set scores of 25-17, 26-24, and 25-15 in Luckey Arena. The Wildcats registered 11 total blocks and maintained a .277 hitting percentage throughout the match. This victory advances the Wildcats to Sioux City, IA for Pool Play in the NAIA Women's Volleyball National Tournament, marking the third consecutive year IWU have advanced to Pool Play.
 

THE ESSENTIALS

• Location: Indiana Wesleyan University | Marion, Ind.
• Records: IWU - 28-4  | SC - 26-14
• NAIA Top-25 Ranking: IWU - 4 Seed | SC - Unseeded

SET ONE

• Stephens took an early 5-2 lead with effective play at the net, including a service ace.  
• The red and grey responded with a series of blocks and kills, tying the score at 7-7 after an attack error.
• IWU gained momentum with a 4-0 run, featuring kills from Marissa Mullins and Shae Williams, taking a 13-10 edge.   
• Dayessi Luis closed the set with a decisive service ace, leading the Wildcats to a 25-17 victory.  

 

SET TWO 

• Indiana Wesleyan gained early momentum with a 3-0 run, highlighted by a kill from Eva Joldersma, bringing the score to 5-2.   
• SC answered with a strong 6-1 stretch, including two kills taking a 10-9 lead.  
• The red and grey fought back late in the set with a critical 4-0 run, tying the score at 18-18 after a kill by Marin Sanchez.  
• Joldersma's decisive kill secured the set for Indiana Wesleyan at 26-24, leveling the match.

 

SET THREE 

• The Wildcats gained an early advantage with a 4-0 run, capitalizing on multiple attack errors by the Stars to lead 7-3.  
• Stephens would close the gap to 8-7 with a pair of kills.
•  Indiana Wesleyan pulled away with a decisive 5-0 stretch, featuring strong blocks from Marissa Mullins and Shae Williams, to extend the lead to 17-10.   
• The home team sealed the set with a 5-3 run, highlighted by a service ace from Joldersma, concluding the period 25-15.

KEY WILDCATS 

• Abbigail Porter - 35 assists, 6 digs
• Shae Williams -  7 kills, 3 blocks
• Eva Joldersma - 8 kills, 10 digs
• Marissa Mulliins - 13 kills, 5 blocks

 

LOOKING AHEAD

• Pool Play matchups will be announced on Sunday at 2:00 PM ET.
• Links for tickets, live stats, and video will be available at IWUWildcats.com after the pool pairing are announced.

 

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