KOKOMO, Ind. - The IU Kokomo volleyball team opened their 2023 campaign Friday with a pair of straight-set victories at the inaugural IU Kokomo Volleyball Invitational. The Cougars beat Cornerstone in the afternoon before taking down a previously undefeated Mount Vernon Nazarene squad in the night-cap.

Match One Recap

IU Kokomo struggled early, showing signs of first-match jitters in what turned out to be a thrilling opening set against Cornerstone. The Golden Eagles of CU led 9-6 before IU Kokomo went on a 6-0 run, fueled by three Kaley Lyons aces, to force a CU timeout. IUK led by four at 15-11 before CU won five of the next six points to tie it at 16.

Cornerstone had their first set-point while leading 24-23, and had another while up 26-25, but were unable to convert both times. Trailing 26-25, IU Kokomo won four of the next five points to take the opening set 29-27.

Carrying the momentum into the second set, the Cougars won the first five points to lead 5-0. By the midway point of the second set, IUK led CU 14-7. The Cougs outscored the Golden Eagles 11-4 to close out a 25-11 second set win.

IU Kokomo trailed early in the third set, but showed no signs of panic, as they quickly regrouped and utilized a 5-0 spurt to take an 8-6 advantage of their own. Leading 11-8, the Cougars won six-straight points to extend the lead to nine at 17-8. IU Kokomo would go on to close out an impressive straight-sets win over Cornerstone by winning the third set 25-15.

Audrey Strawsma enjoyed a strong first match of her senior year, tallying a team-high 11 kills to go along with two aces and two total blocks. Kaley Lyons led the Cougars in a pair of categories, totaling 20 assists and six aces.

Reigning RSC DPOY Alyvia Smith had a team-high 17 digs with two aces. Freshman Mia Niekamp contributed eight kills while junior Maggie Connell had seven kills, seven digs, and three total blocks. Lexi Broyles had four total blocks to lead the Cougars.

Match Two Recap

The nightcap on Day One of the 2023 IU Kokomo Volleyball Invitational was a battle between two teams who had yet to lose early in the season. IU Kokomo entered 1-0 while Mount Vernon Nazarene (Ohio) came into the match 6-0.

The Cougars came to play Friday evening, and impressed the home-court crowd with several electrifying defensive plays to keep points alive.

Broyles led the Cougars in kills with 12, while Strawsma turned in another solid performance with 10 kills. Niekamp continued her impressive debut by adding eight kills. 

Smith had 24 digs to lead IUK, with Connell adding 12 and Ellie Garland contributing eight.

Lyons totaled 24 assists, leading the Cougars, while sophomore Allison Richman tallied 16.

The Cougars will return to the court inside the Student Activities & Events Center tomorrow for a pair of matches on the final day of the IUK Volleyball Invitational. The Cougars will play (RV) Bethel at 12:00 PM before taking on (RV) Campbellsville at 2:00 PM.

Don't miss your chance to see IU Kokomo volleyball action at home tomorrow before they hit the road for tournaments each of the next two weekends. The Cougs will not play another home match until September 14th after Saturday's pair.

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.