MARION, IND. — Indiana Wesleyan (9-3, 5-0) swept No. 16 Mount Vernon Nazarene (10-5, 3-2) in straight sets on Wednesday night in Luckey Arena, winning 25-20, 25-12, 26-24. Indiana Wesleyan posted a team attack percentage of .350, while holding MVNU to .188, helping maintain their unbeaten Crossroads League record.
THE ESSENTIALS
- Location: Indiana Wesleyan University | Marion, Ind.
- Records: IWU - 9-3, 5-0 | MVNU - 10-5, 3-2
- NAIA Top-25 Ranking: IWU - #7 | MVNU - #16
SET ONE
- Mount Vernon Nazarene opened strong, taking a 3-0 lead.
- The Wildcats responded with a 4-0 run, including a service ace from Autumn Colehour, to take a 7-6 lead.
- Abbigail Porter orchestrated a key 5-0 run for the Wildcats, contributing a service ace and multiple assists, pushing the score to 12-9.
- Indiana Wesleyan closed out the set with a 5-1 run, capped by Eva Joldersma's kill from Porter, securing the set 25-20.
SET TWO
- The Wildcats started strongly with Shae Williams delivering two consecutive kills, both assisted by Porter, to gain an early 2-0 lead.
- A defensive stand by Jessica Ickes and Porter, featuring two blocks, contributed to a 5-0 run, extending the lead to 9-4.
- A service ace by Colehour capped a sequence of points that pushed the Wildcats ahead 12-4, prompting a timeout from MVNU.
- The Cougars managed to cut into the deficit with a pair of kills, but remained behind 18-10.
- The Wildcats closed the set decisively, with Marin Sanchez securing the final two points on kills assisted by Porter, ending the set 25-12.
SET THREE
- MVNU opened the set with an early lead, going up 6-2.
- The Wildcats responded with a 4-0 run to tie the score at 8-8, highlighted by a block from Ickes and Williams.
- A subsequent 6-2 run by the Wildcats, featuring strong attacking from Joldersma and Marissa Mullins, pushed the home team ahead 14-11, prompting a timeout from Mount Vernon.
- The Cougars pulled within one point at 18-17 after a service ace, leading to a timeout by the Wildcats.
- In the tense final moments, the Wildcats rallied from a 24-23 deficit with three consecutive points, including a decisive block by Mullins and Porter, to secure the 26-24 victory.
KEY WILDCATS
MOATS PERSPECTIVE
- "What a fight tonight! It was definitely two very strong ranked teams playing high level volleyball," said Head Coach Candace Moats. "The fan support tonight carried us in the third set win! Thanks for coming out! So proud of the girls and their incredible play! We are working hard as we stay together for Him!"
LOOKING AHEAD
- The Wildcats hit the road, taking on Huntington on September 20th at 1:00 PM
- Links for live stats and video can be found at IWUWildcats.com
NEXT HOME MATCH
- The Wildcats return to Marion for a home match with No. 21 Marian next Wednesday at 7:00 PM.
- Individuals looking to attend can purchase tickets at IWUWildcats.com/Tickets
- Links for live stats and video can be found at IWUWildcats.com
FOLLOW THE WILDCATS
