RICHMOND, Ind. - The IU Kokomo volleyball team fell in four sets at IU East Friday night. Trailing 2-0, the Cougars responded to win the third set, but ultimately lost in four. The Cougars are now 24-6 overall and 13-2 in River States Conference play.

IU East started the match strong and with energy, jumping out to an early 9-4 lead to force an IU Kokomo timeout. The Red Wolves took a 17-10 lead to force the final timeout of the set from the Cougars, and IU East managed to win the opening set 25-18.

The second set was much more tightly-contested, but IU East still led 13-9 midway through the set. IU Kokomo trailed 21-20 before the Red Wolves won three straight-points to earn multiple set points and force another Cougar timeout.

Out of the timeout, IU Kokomo won five straight points to earn a set point of their own, causing IU East to take a timeout to try to stop the bleeding. The Red Wolves won three consecutive points via a kill and two IUK attack errors to win the second set 27-25 and take a two set lead.

IU Kokomo started the third set strong, winning the first three points for a 3-0 lead. IU East trimmed the IUK lead to one at 12-11, but the Cougars responded with a quick 5-0 run to take a 17-11 lead. 

The Red Wolves cut the Cougar lead to two at 22-20, but the Cougs won three straight points via two Lexi Broyles kills and an IU East attack error to win the third set 25-20.

IU East and IU Kokomo traded points in a neck and neck fourth set, as the two teams were tied at 13 midway through the fourth set. The Cougars took a 19-17 lead after two IU East errors, but the Red Wolves went on a 3-0 mini-run to take a 20-19 lead and force an IUK timeout.

With the set tied at 22, IU East won three straight points to win the fourth set 25-22 and the match 3-1 over IU Kokomo.

Freshman Lexi Broyles led the team with 11 kills while Lorelei Porter and Maggie Connell each added nine. Broyles also had a match-high eight total blocks.

Kaley Lyons led IUK with 35 assists and Alyvia Smith paced the Cougars with 20 digs. Ellie Garland tallied 12 digs and Mya Shively added eight.

The Cougars will travel to Circleville, Ohio, to take on Ohio Christian tomorrow afternoon. First serve is set for 12:00 P.M.

For the latest news, updates, and information on the IU Kokomo Cougars, fans can visit IUKCougars.com. Fans can also stay up to date on the latest Cougar news by following @IUKAthletics on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.