KOKOMO, Ind. - The Indiana University Kokomo volleyball team punched their ticket to Sioux City with a 3-1 win over (RV) Indiana Tech Saturday, clinching a spot at the final site of the 2024 NAIA Women's Volleyball Championship for a second-consecutive season.

With the win, the Cougars are one of 24 NAIA Volleyball teams remaining, and will be placed in one of eight pools of three teams. IUK will learn of their opponents Sunday afternoon.

(RV) Indiana Tech jumped out to a 5-2 lead, yet 11th ranked IU Kokomo responded by winning seven of the ensuing eight points to force a Tech timeout. The Cougars led 14-8 midway through the set, prior to extending the lead to eight at 17-9 and forcing a second and final Warrior timeout.

Alexis Baney, Maggie Connell, and Cali Cummings each recorded a kill before a Warrior attack error gave IU Kokomo a 25-13 set one win.

The Warriors bounced back in set two, jumping out to a sizeable lead before the Cougars trimmed the deficit. After trailing 13-5 midway through the set, IUK pulled within four on several occasions, but Indiana Tech earned a 25-20 set two victory. 

Needing a response, 12th year IUK head coach Heather Hayes's squad won seven of the first eight points of set three, setting the tone for a dominant set three from the Cougars. Tech had trimmed the deficit to five before two-more IUK points re-built a seven-point lead and forced a Matt Fishman timeout. 

Leading 14-7, it was all IU Kokomo from then on in the third, as the Cougars finished the set on an 11-4 run to take a 2-1 lead after winning set three in a big way, 25-11.

Set four was tightly-contested early, as the Warriors led IUK 8-7. IU Kokomo then won four-straight points and eight of the next 11 for a 15-11 lead.

Another 5-0 spurt gave the Cougars a comfortable lead, as they closed out the fourth 25-18 to win the match 3-1 over (RV) Indiana Tech. 

Senior Maggie Connell led IU Kokomo in her final career home match, flooring a match-high 14 kills. Mya Grigsby and Lexi Broyles each recorded double-digit kills as well with 11 apiece. Grigsby hit .320 while Broyles was a strong .529.

Kaley Lyons had a double-double of 20 assists and 11 digs, while fellow setter Allison Richman added 16 assists. Grigsby recorded a match-high 14 digs, with Ellie Garland tallying 11 and Julia Sanders 10. 

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.