SIOUX CITY, IA — Indiana Wesleyan Women's Volleyball edged out Corban University in a five-set thriller, winning 25-13, 21-25, 25-22, 22-25, 15-10 at the Tyson Events Center. The Wildcats totaled 62 kills and 13 blocks, securing a narrow victory in the neutral-site match. With this win, the Wildcats advance to their third consecutive NAIA Women's Volleyball Championship Semirfinals presented by Marriott South Sioux City Riverfront and Explore Siouxland.
THE ESSENTIALS
- Location: Tyson Events Center | Sioux City, IA
- Records: IWU - 31-4 | CU - 27-6
- NAIA Top-25 Ranking: IWU - 4 Seed | CU - 5 Seed
SET ONE
- Indiana Wesleyan established early control with a 5-2 advantage, highlighted by two kills from Eva Joldersma.
- A 6-0 run extended their lead to 10-3, prompting a timeout from the Warriors.
- CU managed to cut the deficit to 19-12 after consecutive kills from Kendra Bittle, but the Wildcats responded with a strong finish.
- IWU closed the set with a 25-13 victory, aided by Joldersma's consistent attacking and multiple errors from Corban.
SET TWO
- Indiana started strong with an early 4-1 lead, highlighted by kills from Joldersma and Shae Williams.
- The Warriors responded with a 5-0 run, tying the score at 9-9 after a series of attack errors by the red and grey and kills by Emma Bischoff.
- After the red and grey regained a brief lead at 13-10, Corban surged ahead with a 7-1 stretch, taking the lead at 17-14 following a series of Indiana attack errors.
- Corban maintained control, closing out the set with a decisive kill from Gracie Boeder, securing a 25-21 set win.
SET THREE
- The Warriors took an early 3-0 lead with kills from Bischoff and Boeder.
- The Wildcats responded to tie the score at 5-5, aided by two attack errors from Corban.
- The set remained close until Indiana Wesleyan pulled ahead 17-14, forcing a Corban timeout after a strong block by Jessica Ickes and Williams.
- The Wildcats maintained their edge, finishing the set 25-22 with a decisive kill by Joldersma.
SET FOUR
- Corban secured an early 3-1 lead, aided by a service ace from Bischoff. .
- Indiana Wesleyan fought back to level the score at 6-6 with a block from Ickes and Williams.
- CU utilized a mid-set surge, including a kill from Taylor Kieser, to push ahead 16-14 at the timeout.
- The Wildcats cut the deficit to 23-21, but Corban closed the set 25-22 with a block by Makayla Roginski and Boeder.
SET FIVE
- The Warriors took an early 6-4 lead, capitalizing on three consecutive attack errors by Indiana Wesleyan.
- Indiana Wesleyan responded with a 4-0 run, including kills by Williams and Marin Sanchez, to move ahead 8-6.
- After a timeout, the Wildcats extended their lead to 12-7 with strong plays from Williams and a block by Marissa Mullins and Sanchez.
- Indiana Wesleyan closed out the set 15-10, with Mullins securing the final point.
KEY WILDCATS
MOATS PERSPECTIVE
- "The seniors are on a mission and they are doing it by loving their teammates and helping all of us believe!" Said Head Coach Candace Moats. "We are playing with joy! Thank you Lord for the gift of this team!"
LOOKING AHEAD
- IWU will face #1 Eastern Oregon on Monday at 6:00 PM ET.
- Links for tickets, live stats, and video are available at IWUWildcats.com.
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