MARION, Ind. - The Indiana University Kokomo volleyball team continued their impressive play from day one of the season into Friday, as the Cougars took down the first-ranked Wildcats of Indiana Wesleyan (IWU) in five-sets in a gritty performance. The Cougs would follow Friday morning's strong showing with a four-set loss to a tough and underrated Grace College (Ind.) squad.

The win is IU Kokomo's first over a #1 ranked team, and is arguably the biggest win in program history. IWU returned a majority of their roster from a 2023 team that went undefeated on their way to the NAIA National Championship and outlasted the Cougars in a five-setter to advance out of Pool Play. Prior to Friday, the Wildcats had not been beat since November 19, 2022.

Match One @ #1 Indiana Wesleyan  (W, 18-25, 25-23, 25-22, 17-25, 15-13)
The opening set proved to be a doozy early on, as the two teams traded points and scoring runs until Indiana Wesleyan managed to pull away. After three-straight IUK points gave the Cougars an 18-16 lead, the Wildcats ended the set on a 9-0 run to take the opener.

IU Kokomo grabbed an early lead before the Wildcats found their rhythm in set two and battled back to lead 14-10 midway through the frame. The Cougars would win four-straight to even the score, however the two teams would remain close until the score was tied at 22. IUK would win three of the following four points to clinch the second set and tie the match 1-1.

As most of the match was, the third-set proved to be tight until one team found another gear. It was the Cougars who found another gear once again in set three, utilizing a 5-0 run to turn a one point deficit into a four point lead. The Wildcats would pull within one at 16-15 to force an IUK timeout, but the Cougs would close it out 25-22 for a 2-1 lead over #1 IWU on their home floor.

Just as they did in the final Pool Play match at the NAIA Final Site, IWU forced a decisive fifth-set while trailing 2-1. The Wildcats gained some distance with a 6-0 run to lead 14-8, coasting to a 25-17 fourth-set victory.

#1 Indiana Wesleyan jumped out to an early 3-1 lead in the fifth, but the Cougars won consecutive points to force a Wildcat timeout while tied 3-3. Trailing 9-6, IU Kokomo won eight of the next nine points to lead 14-10 and take hold of a host of match points. IWU saved the first three match points, but the Cougars would close it out 15-13 to complete the upset of #1 Indiana Wesleyan.

Freshman phenom Mya Grigsby led the IU Kokomo attack with 16 kills, while Mia Niekamp was one behind with 15. The Cougar defense was stellar for most of the match, as four Cougars recorded double-digit digs, led by libero Ellie Garland with a match high 25. Senior Mariah Wyatt led the IUK block with four total.

Both Kaley Lyons and Mya Grigsby recorded double-doubles in the win, as Lyons paired 14 digs with her team best 30 assists and Grigsby tallied 16 digs to go along with her 16 kills. Allison Richman had 15 assists and a pair of blocks in the victory.

Match Two vs Grace College (Ind.)  (L, 25-23, 23-25, 21-25, 28-30)
IU Kokomo jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead and managed to dictate play for much of the first set. The Cougars extended the lead to as many as eight at 16-8, but Grace would pull within one at 23-22 and 24-23 to make things interesting. After a strong serve from Lea Mummert on set point, a Lancer attack error gave set one to IU Kokomo.

The Lancers led early and often in set two, but it was the Cougars turn to play from behind. IU Kokomo would battle back to take the lead twice late in the set, however Grace managed to hold the Cougs off and take set two 25-23.

Set three was interesting early on unlike the two prior sets, with the Lancers finding a bit of separation first. IU Kokomo trailed by just one at 16-15 before Grace won five of the next six points and the set 25-21 for a 2-1 lead. 

The Cougars held a 12-10 lead just about midway through set four, yet the Lancers broke out a 5-0 run to take a three-point lead of their. IUK trailed 19-15 but answered with a 5-0 run of their own to regain a 20-19 lead.

IU Kokomo earned the first set point, but a Grace kill would erase that before the two sides traded the next six points. Consecutive Lancer kills with the match all square earned them a 30-28 fourth-set victory and four-set win.

Mya Grigsby recorded her third double-double in her fourth career match, tallying 16 kills and 13 digs to go along with four aces and three total blocks. Kaley Lyons had 25 assists while Allison Richman totaled 20. 

Cali Cummings and Lexi Broyles were the lone other Cougars to finish with double-digit kills, recording 11 and 10 respectively.

The Cougars will return to action next weekend for the Onset Invitational at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne. They will play Xavier University of Louisiana and Aquinas (Mich.) on Friday before taking on Fisk and #24 Bethel (Ind.) Saturday.

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.