UPLAND, Ind. - The Indiana University Kokomo volleyball team had an opportunity to pick up a pair of quality wins Friday, and delivered in a big way. The Cougars, who are receiving votes in the NAIA Top 25 Poll, beat fellow vote-getters and hosts Taylor University in five-sets before sweeping Trinity Christian College (Ill.).

With the pair of wins, IU Kokomo improves to 7-3 on the season. The Cougars will return to the court inside Taylor's Odle Arena Saturday, closing out the weekend with matches against Roosevelt (Ill.) and Cumberland (Tenn.).

Match One
The Cougars came out of the gates strong, jumping out to an early 8-3 lead over the Trojans of Taylor. Taylor would get within three at 10-7, but IU Kokomo quickly extended the lead to double-digits at 19-9. IUK closed out a dominant first-set on a 6-0 run, winning it 25-12.

Taylor showed signs of life early in the second set. The Trojans would eventually build a 14-10 lead, forcing a second Heather Hayes timeout of the set. IUK won four-straight points out of the timeout to knot the match at 14-14, but Taylor answered and took a 21-16 lead. The Cougs got within two at 22-20, but the Trojans won the set to even the match 1-1.

Looking to bounce back from set two, IU Kokomo went on an early 5-0 run to lead 6-2 and force a Taylor timeout. The Cougars built a seven-point 16-9 lead in the set, but Taylor won eight points consecutively to take a one point lead of their own. The Trojans capitalized on the momentum and won set two 25-22 to take a 2-1 lead in the match.

With their backs against the wall and all the momentum on the side of the host Trojans, the Cougars turned their level of play up a notch. IUK led 11-10 in a neck-and-neck beginning to the set, but it was Taylor who took a 13-11 lead to force a Coug timeout. Coach Hayes rallied her squad, who responded by taking a 16-14 lead of their own to force a TU timeout. 

With set four tied at 16, IU Kokomo utilized a 4-0 run to take a lead they would not surrender. The Cougs closed out a 25-22 fourth-set win to force a decisive fifth-set.

IU Kokomo, with strong support from the Cougar faithful, carried their momentum into the final set. The first four points of the set went the way of IUK, as did 10 of the first 12. The Cougars found themselves in front 10-2, and despite a strong comeback bid from the Trojans, would eek out a 15-12 fifth-set win to clinch the victory over Taylor.

Senior Audrey Strawsma had career day to lead IU Kokomo, tallying a career-high 15 kills to go along with three service aces. Lexi Broyles added 14 kills and four blocks, while Tori Wilkinson contribued 10 kills and five digs.

Cali Cummings was a force to be reckoned with at the net, as the freshman impressed with a match-high seven blocks. Alyvia Smith led the Cougars with 25 digs.

Kaley Lyons turned in another double-double with 24 assists and 14 digs, while fellow setter Allison Richman had 21 assists and three blocks.

Match Two
Unlike the Cougars first match of the day, match number two was much more straightforward. After a tight opening set against the Trolls of Trinity Christian College, IU Kokomo would cruise to a three-set victory.

Richman enjoyed a strong nightcap, tallying nine assists, five kills, and three blocks. 

Lyons led IUK in assists with 14, while Smith led the Cougs in digs with 15. Broyles had a match-high five blocks. 

Strawsma continued her strong play, leading the team in kills with seven and aces with two. Ellie Garland also had a pair of aces in the match. 

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.