KOKOMO, Ind. - The IU Kokomo volleyball team earned their fifth-straight sweep and 17th-consecutive win Tuesday night at home against first-year program IUPUC.

The Cougars dropped the first point of the match but won the next seven behind the serving of Ellie Garland, taking a 7-1 lead. Leading 10-6, the Cougars used a 6-0 run to extend the lead to double-digits before winning the set 25-9.

Midway through the second set, a Tori Wilkinson ace gave the Cougars their largest lead of the set at 11-6, forcing an IUPUC timeout. The Cougs led 14-11 before a 6-0 run made it a nine-point lead at 20-11.

The Crimson Pride won four straight points to trim the lead to five, but the Cougars would win five of the next eight points to take set two 25-18.

IU Kokomo looked to be on the verge of putting IUPUC away early in the third-set, but the Crimson Pride showed great fight. IUK jumped out to a 5-2 lead, but IUPUC would battle back to take a 12-10 lead, forcing an IUK timeout.

Trailing 15-13, Heather Hayes's squad went on a 4-0 mini-run to take a two-point lead of their own and force a Crimson Pride timeout. 

The Cougars led 23-21 late in the third, but three-straight Abigail Watson kills for IUPUC gave them a set-point opportunity. Audrey Strawsma would rise to the occasion for IUK, flooring a kill to extend the match before ending the match with yet another to close out a 26-24 third-set win. The Cougars have not dropped a set in five-straight matches.

Audrey Strawsma had the hot-hand for the Cougars, tallying match-high's in kills and blocks with 14 and six, while also collecting three aces. Cali Cummings also had six blocks alongside Strawsma. Tori Wilkinson had a team-leading four service-aces on the night.

Alyvia Smith led with 18 digs and six assists, while Julia Sanders had seven digs of her own. Kaley Lyons had 15 assists and six digs, while Allison Richman contributed 13 assists. 

The Cougars will hit the road this weekend playing road matches at WVU Tech and Rio Grande.

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.