MISHAWAKA, Ind. – The Indiana University Kokomo volleyball team opened Bethel University's Liz Hossler Labor Day Classic with two wins Friday evening. The Cougars dispatched Campbellsville University (Ky.) in straight-sets to open the weekend before taking down Bethel (Ind.) in five-sets. IU Kokomo is now 5-1 on the season.

Match One Recap

IU Kokomo found themselves trailing 7-2 early in the opening set, but were able to respond and tie the set at nine. The Tigers maintained a lead for a majority of the set but the Cougars refused to fold.

IUK took a 24-23 lead late in the set but Campbellsville won the following two points to take a one-point lead of their own. With their backs against the wall in the opening set, the Cougars won the next three points to take the first set 27-25.

Leading 9-6 in the second set, IU Kokomo utilized a 5-0 run to take a commanding 14-6 lead. The Cougars would lead by as many as 13 in the set, as they cruised to a 25-16 set two win. 

The Cougars led for a majority of the set, but Campbellsville awoke late in the set to make it close. Trailing 21-14, the Tigers came back to tie the set at 24, but the Cougs did not flinch and closed out the match by winning the next two points. IUK is now 2-0 all-time against Campbellsville University (Ky.).

Match Two Recap

The marquee matchup of the weekend came in the Cougars second game of the day, as two teams receiving votes in the latest NAIA Top 25 poll, IU Kokomo and Bethel, would square off. 

Bethel won the first three points of the match to take an early 3-0 lead. With Bethel leading 7-4, IU Kokomo went on a 6-0 run to take their first lead of the match at 10-7. The Cougs forced a Bethel timeout after reeling off three-straight points for a 20-16 lead. The Pilots would cut the lead to one, but the Cougs would close out the set 25-23.

The second set proved to be neck-and-neck throughout, but the Pilots would eventually even the match. Trailing 22-20, Bethel finished the set on a 5-1 run to win it 25-23 and tie the match at one set apiece.

With the set tied at four, IU Kokomo went on a 5-0 run behind the serving of Julia Sanders to force a Bethel timeout. The Cougars continued their dominant play, as they finished the set on a 16-9 run to take a 2-1 lead.

IU Kokomo led 7-5 in the fourth set until Bethel utilized a 5-0 spurt to force a Cougar timeout. IUK won the first point out of the timeout, but the Pilots answered with another 5-0 run to force a second IUK timeout. The Pilots managed to force a deciding fifth-set, winning the fourth 25-16.

IUK set the tone in the fifth-set, winning the opening three points for a 3-0 lead. The Cougs took a 6-2 lead on a Julia Sanders ace to force the first Pilot timeout of the set, and they would force a second after an Audrey Strawsma kill gave the Cougars a 9-4 lead. A Sidney Gerig kill gave the Cougars a 15-10 fifth-set win for a 3-2 victory over Bethel (Ind.).

Freshman Lexi Broyles led the IUK attack with 12 kills, while Tori Wilkinson and Sidney Gerig each contributed ten apiece. Julia Sanders led the Cougs with four service aces.

Kaley Lyons had 22 assists to lead the team while Allison Richman followed with 16. Alyvia Smith had a team-high 17 digs.

The Cougars will be back-in-action tomorrow afternoon at Bethel for their final two matches of the weekend. The Cougs will play Grace College at 1:00 P.M. before closing out the weekend against Cumberland University at 3:00 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.