MARION, IND. - No. 1 Indiana Wesleyan volleyball got their season started on Thursday by picking up a pair of wins in Luckey Arena. In their season opener the Wildcats earned a 3-1 victory over MidAmerica Nazarene, winning the final three sets after a slow start. IWU collected a sweep of Columbia (Mo.) in their second game, setting up a match up of unbeatens tomorrow when the Wildcats face 3-0 No. 4 Concordia (Neb.) in an early season test.
 

THE ESSENTIALS

• Location: Indiana Wesleyan University | Marion, Ind.
• Records: IWU - 2-0 | MidAmerica Nazarene - 0-2 | Columbia - 0-2
• NAIA Top-25 Ranking: IWU - #1 | MNU - RV | CC - RV

MATCH ONE VITALS

• IWU got off to a slow start, falling behind early in set one. The red and gray battled back to pull within 2 points but didn't get closer as a late 5-2 run by the Pioneers secured the set for the visitors.
• The second set did not start off any better for the defending national champs, falling behind 11-4. A 9-3 run by the Wildcats pulled them within 1 and forced a MNU timeout. IWU kept momentum however, rattling off a 12-5 run to take the second set.
• A back and forth start to the third set ended when Indiana Wesleyan went on a 16-2 run to win the set after trailing 11-9 before the run began.
• The Wildcats looked poised to take the fourth set easily after jumping out to a 12-6 lead, forcing MNU to take their first timeout. The Pioneers didn't quit however, getting the deficit down to 2 at 23-21 but back-to-back kills from Marin Sanchez wrapped up the first victory of the season for Indiana Wesleyan.

• Freshman Shae Williams posted 14 kills and Marissa Mullins added 10.
• Mullins was also a force at the net with 6 blocks. Marin Sanchez and Jessica Ickes both recorded 3 blocks.
• Two time reigning NAIA Setter of the Year Abbigail Porter posted 36 assists.
• Cadee Notter (19), Camaya Murry (14), and Porter (12) each hit double digit digs.

• After falling behind early, IWU went on an 11-1 run to take a commanding lead on their way to a 25-16 set one victory.
• The red and gray took an earl lead in the second set and never looked back, winning 25-16 after a late Cougar run chipped away at the lead.
• Neither team found much separation on the scoreboard in the third set. Columbia matched the largest lead of the set at 2 after taking a 22-20 lead late. A 5-1 run featuring 2 kills from Marissa Mullins and Marin Sanchez pushed the Wildcats ahead to complete the sweep.

• Shae Williams continued her great day with 18 kills. Marin Sanchez tallied 11, and Marissa Mullins reached double digits with 10.
• Mullins and Jessica Ickes both posted 3 blocks.
• Abbigail Porter led the way with 43 assists.
• Cadee Notter recorded 21 digs and Autumn Colehour more than doubled her career high 11.

LOOKING AHEAD

• The Wildcats are back in Luckey tomorrow against No. 4 Concordia (Neb.).
• Individuals looking to attend can purchase tickets at IWUWildcats.com/Tickets
• Links for live stats and video can be found at IWUWildcats.com

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