KOKOMO, Ind. - The 11th ranked IU Kokomo volleyball team is set to host RV Indiana Tech Saturday at 1:00 PM in the 2024 NAIA Women's Volleyball Championship Opening Round, having won a second-straight River States Conference regular season title for a 10th-straight NAIA Tournament appearance.

The Cougars have earned the right to host an NAIA Opening Round match for a second-consecutive year, as Saturday's winner between the Cougars and Warriors will advance to Sioux City for pool play at the 2024 NAIA Women's Volleyball Championship.

2024 NAIA Women's Volleyball Championship Opening Round
Saturday, November 23rd • Kokomo, Indiana • Student Activities and Events Center
#11 IU Kokomo vs RV Indiana Tech • 1:00 PM EST

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IU Kokomo enters this year's NAIA Tournament on the backs of a five-set loss in last week's RSC Championship match, snapping the program's 24 match win-streak. The Cougars hold an overall record of 31-5 after going undefeated in regular season conference play.

The Cougars were battle-tested in non-conference play early in the season, picking up wins over then #6 Midland and #1 Indiana Wesleyan on the opening weekend, before falling to then #2 and current #1 Northwestern (Iowa) in five tight sets on a neutral court. 

Just like IUK, the Warriors of Indiana Tech fell in their conference title game, losing in straight sets at #11 Aquinas (Mich.) in the WHAC Championship to put them at 27-10 overall. Tech has played matches against ranked foes six times this fall, recording just one win in those five matches.

IU Kokomo and Indiana Tech played nine common opponents on the 2024 season, as Tech went 6-4 in those matches and IUK went 10-3 against those foes. Tech is 8-2 in road matches to this point of the season, while the Cougars are 15-1 at home. 

The Cougars and Warriors have met six times all-time on the court prior to tomorrow's tournament match, with IU Kokomo leading the all-time series 5-1. The Cougs are on a two-match win-streak in the series, with Saturday's match being the first in Kokomo between the two programs. 

Saturday's match does feature four unique connections between the two Hoosier-state NAIA programs, as listed below:

1. Indiana Tech head coach Matt Fishman is a former IU Kokomo assistant.
2. Fishman is the son of IU Kokomo Director of Volleyball Operations Randy Fishman.
3. Indiana Tech grad assistant Nyssa Baker is a former IUK volleyball standout.
4. Jaycee Strawsma, sister of IUK assistant Audrey Talley, plays for Tech. 

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.