The Wright State volleyball team fell 3-2 against IUPUI (21-25, 25-23, 18-25, 25-19, 11-15) in their first conference match of the season.

First Set Highlights

IUPUI secured an early lead at 4-0, but freshman Teddie Sauer was able to block the Jaguars for a side out for Wright State.  IUPUI went on another run soon after and extended their lead to 10-3.  Wright State got back into the game after attack errors and service errors by the Jaguars.  IUPUI took their first timeout after Wright State went on a 4-0 run to bring the game within one at 21-20.  Coming out of the timeout, the Jaguars were able to regain control and closed out the first set with a pair of blocks and kills.  Senior middle blocker Megan Hopkins led the Raiders with four kills of Wright State's 10 kills in the set.

Second Set Highlights

Wright State and IUPUI kept the score close throughout the beginning of the second set, trading points back-and-forth.  The Raiders pulled ahead for their first lead at 6-5 with a block from seniors Katie Klusman and Hopkins.  IUPUI responded immediately with a kill and tied the game at 6-6.  Wright State pulled ahead again after siding out and went on a 4-0 run to lead the game at 10-6.  IUPUI called a timeout after the 4-0 run and shifted the momentum back in their favor by responding with two kills to put them within two points from the Raiders at 10-8.  Hopkins continued her dominance from the first set and extended the Raider's lead to 13-8 after posting two kills and a block with the assistance of freshman Abby Barcus.  IUPUI stayed in the game and tied the score at 14-14, and for a short period of time took the lead at 15-14 before Wright State went on a crucial 5-0 run after posting four consecutive kills and a service ace from senior setter Maddie Lohmeier.  IUPUI battled back and went on a 3-0 run to bring the score within one point at 19-18.  The score was tied two separate times at 20-20 and 21-21 before the Raiders were able to pull ahead with a pair of kills and keep the lead winning the second set 25-23.  Hopkins led the Raiders with five kills while freshman Celia Powers posted four kills.  Overall, the Raiders had 16 kills for a solid .333 hitting percentage.

Third Set Highlights

Wright State took an early lead in the third set by executing their attacks and blocks.  Senior defensive specialist Rachel Kremer kept the heat on IUPUI with a tough serve and extended the Raider's lead to 9-4 with a service ace.  IUPUI stayed in the game and closed Wright State's lead after going on a 4-0 run to make the score 11-10.  The Jaguars quickly tied the score at 12-12, and then pulled ahead 15-12 after capitalizing on unforced errors by the Raiders.  Wright State kept the pressure on IUPUI throughout the remainder of the set, but the Jaguars kept extending their lead and eventually won the set at 25-18.  Barcus led Wright State with four kills of Wright State's 14 kills in the set.

Fourth Set Highlights

Wright State came out ready to go in the fourth set, scoring the first point with a service ace from freshman defensive specialist, Hanna Colvin.  Wright State and IUPUI kept the score close exchanging kills back-and-forth, but Wright State maintained a comfortable lead and quickly doubled their points extending their lead to 14-7.  After a 4-0 run by IUPUI, Wright State took it's first timeout at 14-11 to try to regain control of the game.  Wright State was able to hang onto their lead only letting IUPUI within one point at 19-18 before the Raiders went on a 6-1 run to win the fourth set at 25-19 and force a fifth set.  Hopkins led Wright State with four kills of Wright State's 11 kills in the set.

Fifth Set Highlights

Both teams kept the score close in the beginning of the set tying the score twice at 1-1 and 2-2 before IUPUI took the lead at 5-2 after going on a 3-0 run.  Wright State took a timeout to try to shift the momentum in their favor and it seemed to work as Hopkins came out of the huddle and immediately posted a kill to make the score 5-3.  IUPUI and Wright State both went on 3-0 runs in the middle of the set pushing the score to 9-7 with IUPUI leading.  IUPUI took their first timeout of the game at 9-7 and came out of the break with the momentum on their side as they went on a 3-0 extending their lead in the short set to 13-7 and putting them within two points of set point.  The Raiders continued to fight and went on a crucial 3-0 run closing in on the Jaguars at 13-10 before IUPUI's top hitter, Kori Waelbroeck, recorded a kill and put her team within one point of winning the match.  Klusman picked up a kill to make the score 14-11, but a service error ultimately ended the game and gave the Jaguars their final point in the hard fought, five set match.  Hopkins led the Raiders with 14 kills, which is a season high for the senior.  Freshmen Barcus and Celia Powers each posted ten kills in the match.  

What Coach Clements is Saying

"Our ball control was not sharp tonight.  We had a lot of fight and grinded out to put ourselves in a situation to win.  We need to find consistency from set to set in our passing to make sure we are in control and able to dictate more of the match."

Next Up

Wright State plays on the road against Northern Kentucky Saturday at 4 p.m.