UPLAND, Ind. – The Indiana University Kokomo volleyball team opened their 2022 season Friday and came away with a pair of wins. After knocking off St. Thomas University (Fla.) in four sets, the Cougars beat Clarke University in straight sets to open the season 2-0. 

Match One Recap

After falling behind 2-0 early in the opening set, IU Kokomo responded quickly to take control of the set. The Cougars took their first lead of the match at 4-3 on a St. Thomas attack error. The Bobcats answered to tie it at four, but they had no answer for the Cougs early, as IUK finished the set on a 21-8 run to take a 1-0 lead.

IU Kokomo led by as many as seven in the second set, but the Bobcats came back to cut the Cougar lead to four at 20-16 and force an IUK timeout. The Cougars came out of the timeout with an edge and won the next five points to take a 2-0 lead.

St. Thomas led for a majority of the third set, but a Bobcat attack error tied the match at nine and forced a timeout. A Lorelei Porter ace gave the Cougs their first lead of the set at 13-12. With the set tied at 18, the Bobcats went on a 5-0 run to take a 23-18 lead. St. Thomas would eventually take the third set 25-22.

Trailing 10-8 in the fourth set, the Cougars reeled off five straight points behind the serving of Kaley Lyons to take a 13-10 lead. The Bobcats weren't finished however, as they won six-straight points when trailing 21-16 to take a one point lead late in the set. With the set tied at 25, back-to-back Sidney Gerig kills propelled IU Kokomo to a 3-1 victory in their season opening match.

Gerig led the Cougars in kills with 17. Audrew Strawsma added eight kills and tallied eight blocks while Lorelei Porter contributed six kills. Freshman Julia Sanders led the Cougs in aces with three.

Alyvia Smith led IU Kokomo in digs with 21 while Kaley Lyons led the Cougs with 23 assists and freshman Allison Richman added 14.

Match Two Recap

Head Coach Heather Hayes's squad opened their second match of the day on fire, winning the opening six points of the match, including two Tori Wilkinson aces. The Pride of Clarke University got within three at 7-4 but the Cougars cruised to a 25-14 first set win.

Leading 11-9 in the second set, IUK won three straight points on three consecutive kills to force a Clarke timeout. The Cougs outscored the Pride 11-7 over the course of the set to take a commanding 2-0 lead.

In taking a 1-0 lead in the third set, Clarke took their first lead of the match. Trailing 8-6, IU Kokomo went on a 7-0 run to take a commanding 13-8 lead. The Cougs utilized their second 7-0 run of the set to extend their lead to 24-13. IU Kokomo won the third set 25-15 to sweep Clarke University 3-0.

Maggie Connell led the way with seven kills while Audrey Strawsma and Allison Richman each added six.

Alyvia Smith had 15 digs to lead the Cougs while Lyons totaled 14 assists and Richman was right behind with 13. 

The Cougars will return to Taylor University Saturday to round out the Amber McClure Fayerweather Memorial Tournament with another pair of matches. IUK will take on #22 Taylor University at 10:00 AM before playing Concordia University (Mich.) at 2:00 PM. 

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.