OMAHA, Neb. – The IU Kokomo volleyball team fell to College of Saint Mary (Neb.) in four sets Saturday night in the Opening Round of the NAIA National Tournament. The Cougars finish the season with a record of 30-7. The NAIA Volleyball Championship appearance was the eighth-straight for the program. 

IU Kokomo won the first two points of the match and led 5-2 early, showing no signs of nerves on the road. Trailing 6-4, College of Saint Mary won nine-straight points to lead the Cougars 13-6. The Cougs eventually tied the set at 16, forcing a Flames timeout, before winning the following three points for a 19-16 lead.

The Cougars were two points from taking the opening set while leading 23-22, but College of Saint Mary won three consecutive points to win the first set 25-23.

IUK led 6-2 early in set two and 14-10 more than halfway through the set, but the Flames managed to battle back. The Cougs led 20-14, but the Flames won nine of the next ten points for a 23-21 lead late in the second set. College of Saint Mary would go on to win set two 25-23, just as they did the first.

Unlike the first two sets, IU Kokomo struggled early on, trailing 7-3. However, the Cougs refused to quit, winning nine of the next ten points for a 12-8 lead over the Flames. IUK extended their lead to six at 20-14 to force a College of Saint Mary timeout, and went on to win set three 25-18 to force a fourth-set.

IU Kokomo opened the fourth set with a 2-0 lead, but the Flames took an 8-5 lead to force a Heather Hayes timeout. The Cougars responded, tying the set at ten, but College of Saint Mary rebuilt a three-point lead at 15-12 to force the final IU Kokomo timeout of the set.

The Cougars showed their grit in trimming the lead to one and forcing a timeout, but the Flames won four-straight points out of the timeout to extend their lead to five at 22-17. IU Kokomo cut the lead to two at 23-21, but College of Saint Mary won the next two points for a 25-21 fourth-set win and 3-1 win over IUK to advance to Sioux City.

Audrey Strawsma led the Cougs with 14 kills and four total blocks, while Lexi Broyles added ten kills. Senior Sidney Gerig had nine kills and three total blocks in her final match in a Cougar uniform.

River States Conference Defender of the Year Alyvia Smith put on a clinic defensively, finishing with a match-high 29 digs while making several standout plays to keep points alive.

Kaley Lyons had 22 assists to lead IUK, and was one dig shy of a double-double. Allison Richman contributed 19 assists, and Mya Shively had nine digs.

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.