SAINT MARY OF THE WOODS, Ind. - The IU Kokomo volleyball team played their first of three road matches on the week Tuesday evening, winning a battle at RSC foe Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. With the victory, the Cougars are now 17-3 overall and 8-0 in RSC action.

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods got off to a strong start on their home court, jumping out to a 6-3 lead. IU Kokomo battled back to tie the opening set at nine before the Pomeroys immediately answered with a 5-0 run, forcing a second IUK timeout of the set.

IU Kokomo won the next three points to cut the deficit to two, but SMWC managed to gain some distance yet again. The Cougars would get within a point late in the set, but an attack error gave SMWC the opening set over IUK.

Needing to bounce-back, the Cougars struggled to overcome the momentum of SMWC early in the second set. Heather Hayes's squad did do well to stay within striking distance before taking an 18-17 lead, but SMWC would win the following three points to force a Cougar timeout while trailing 20-18.

Unwilling to go down two sets on the road, the Cougars won seven of the final ten points of the second set, winning it 25-23 to even the match at a set apiece.

Carrying their newfound momentum over to the third set, IU Kokomo dominated early on, taking an 11-4 lead and forcing a Pomeroy timeout. The Pomeroys got within five but none closer, as the Cougars cruised to a 25-13 third-set victory.

Just as they did in set-three, IU Kokomo came out firing on all cylinders to open the fourth-set. Trailing 8-3, SMWC was forced to call an early timeout. Later in the set, the Pomeroys trimmed the lead to three at 17-14, forcing an IUK timeout. IU Kokomo won six of the next seven points following the timeout, taking a commanding 23-15 lead.

After a Pomeroy point, Mia Niekamp and Audrey Strawsma each collected kills to close out a gritty four-set win at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College.

Maggie Connell and Mia Niekamp led the way for IU Kokomo offensively, as each collected double-digit kills. Niekamp had a match-high 12 kills while Connell added 11. 

Allison Richman led the way with 20 assists, while Kaley Lyons had a double-double of 18 assists and 11 digs. Alyvia Smith had a team-high 14 digs as Ellie Garland tallied 10.

The Cougars will hit the road again this weekend for matches at Shawnee State Friday night before a matinee at Alice Lloyd Saturday afternoon.

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.