PITTSBURGH, Pa. – The IU Kokomo volleyball team swept IU East in an intense RSC semifinal match before outlasting Midway in a five-set thriller to win their fifth-consecutive RSC Championship. With the win, the Cougars clinched their eighth consecutive NAIA National Tournament berth.

Match One Recap

IU Kokomo won the first three points of the match against IU East, capped off by a Lorelei Porter ace. IU East stayed in the set, and the match was tied at 13 midway through the opening set. IU East took an 18-16 lead to force a first IUK timeout, before extending their lead to four at 24-20 and putting the Cougars backs against the wall in the opening set.

A second timeout from head coach Heather Hayes was just what the Cougars needed. The Cougs won six straight points out of the timeout to come from behind and win the first set 26-24.

IU East led 10-8 early in set two, but the Cougars responded just as they did in the first set. The Cougars went on a 9-0 run behind the strong serving of Kaley Lyons, taking a 17-10 lead over the Red Wolves. IU East managed to get within four at 24-20, but a Lorelei Porter kill gave IUK the set two win for a two-set lead.

The Red Wolves jumped out to a 4-0 lead in set three, and took a 10-5 lead to force an IUK timeout. The Cougs won three straight points to get within three of IU East at 14-11, but the Red Wolves extended their lead once again.

IU Kokomo eventually tied the set at 21, and could now see the finish line. Trailing 26-25, IU Kokomo won three consecutive points, thanks to two kills and an ace, to win the third set 28-26 and complete the sweep of IU East.

Audrey Strawsma and Lorelei Porter led the Cougs with ten kills apiece, while Sidney Gerig added eight. Gerig also had four total blocks.

Kaley Lyons had 18 assists and Allison Richman had 16. Lexi Broyles had a match-high six total blocks.

Match Two Recap

Midway won the first two points of the title match, and took an early 7-3 lead to force an IUK timeout. The Eagles entered with energy, and controlled the first set throughout, winning it 25-19.

IU Kokomo quickly regrouped after dropping the opening set, taking a 10-5 lead early in set two. The Eagles responded with a 7-0 run to take a two point lead over the Cougars midway through the set. From then on, the set was neck-and-neck, but the Cougs took a 19-16 lead for some breathing room. Midway got within one at 23-22, but IUK won the following two points to win set two and even the match at a set apiece.

The Cougars carried their strong play over to set three, jumping out to a 3-0 lead. IUK won eight straight points for a commanding 12-3 lead in set three. The Cougars built a double-digit lead and cruised to a 25-13 third set win for a 2-1 lead in the match.

IUK controlled play early in the fourth set, leading 7-2, but Midway was not done yet. The Eagles eventually tied the match at 18 before going on to win the set 25-20 to force a deciding fifth-set.

Midway led 6-3 nearly halfway through the race to 15, forcing an IUK timeout. The Eagles went on to take a 10-6 lead, but IUK won four straight points out of the second Heather Hayes timeout, tying the match at ten. 

The Eagles won the ensuing point for a one-point lead, but the Cougars responded by reeling off four straight points for a 14-11 lead. A Midway kill trimmed the lead to two, but a Sidney Gerig kill off of a set from Kaley Lyons gave the Cougars a 15-12 fifth-set win. The Cougars won 3-2 over Midway for their fifth-straight RSC Championship.

Audrey Strawsma and Sidney Gerig led the Cougs in the Championship match with 14 kills apiece, while Lorelei Porter added ten. Strawsma also had a whopping ten total blocks for a match-high.

Kaley Lyons had 30 assists and Allison Richman had 17. Alyvia Smith had a match-high 32 digs, while Julia Sanders contributed 16.

The Cougars will find out where they are headed for the opening round of the NAIA National Championship Monday, as the women's volleyball selection show is set for 11:00 AM EST.

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.