GRAYSON, Ky. - The No. 20 Indiana University Kokomo volleyball team dominated Saturday in Grayson, Kentucky, sweeping both Kentucky Christian and No. 25 Lindsey Wilson. The Cougars remained undefeated in River States Conference play and capped the day with a statement win to strengthen their postseason résumé.

FAST FACTS - 3-0 Win @ Kentucky Christian University

• LOCATION: East Carter Middle School | Grayson, KY
• UPDATED RECORDS: IU Kokomo - 18-5 (9-0), Kentucky Christian University - 8-12 (2-7)
• NAIA TOP-25 RANKINGS: IU Kokomo - #20, Kentucky Christian University - N/A

THE RUNDOWN 

• IU Kokomo hit .290 or better in every set while holding Kentucky Christian to .056 or lower, controlling the match from start to finish in a dominant performance against the Knights.
• The Cougars came out firing, winning six of the first seven points and 10 of the first 12 to overwhelm the Knights in a lopsided 25-11 first set victory.
• Jumping out to a quick 13-4 lead, IU Kokomo saw Kentucky Christian cut the deficit to four before the Cougars regained control and pulled away for a 25-15 win in set two.
• Kentucky Christian stayed close early in the third set, but a 6-0 run gave the Cougars a 12-5 advantage. Matching their 14-kill total from the first two sets, IU Kokomo pulled away for a 25-15 win to complete a dominant sweep to open the day.

LEADING THE CHARGE

• Mia Niekamp posted a standout .588 hitting percentage with a team-best 11 kills, while Lexi Broyles added eight in a well-rounded IU Kokomo offensive effort.
• Allison Richman tallied a match-high 20 assists along with an impressive six kills for a setter, while Macy Chafin chipped in with 10 assists.
• Avery Littrell anchored the back row with a team-leading 11 digs.

FAST FACTS - 3-0 Win vs #25 Lindsey Wilson College (Ky.)

• LOCATION: East Carter Middle School | Grayson, KY
• UPDATED RECORDS: IU Kokomo - 19-5 (9-0), Lindsey Wilson College - 20-6 (4-1)
• NAIA TOP-25 RANKINGS: IU Kokomo - #20, Lindsey Wilson College - #25

THE RUNDOWN 

• IU Kokomo's balanced offense shined once again in the weekend finale against No. 25 Lindsey Wilson, as the Cougars hit over .250 in all three sets against the nationally ranked Blue Raiders.
• The Cougars opened with authority, racking up 15 kills in the first set and pulling away late by winning five of the final seven points to claim a 25-21 victory.
• Riding their momentum, head coach Heather Hayes's red-hot IU Kokomo squad powered through set two with a commanding 25-15 win, closing the frame on a decisive 9-2 run to take full control of the match.
• IU Kokomo and Lindsey Wilson were deadlocked at 14 midway through the third set, but the Cougars found another gear down the stretch, just as they had in the first two sets. Holding a narrow 21-20 lead, the 20th-ranked Cougars closed strong, winning the final four points to complete the sweep of No. 25 Lindsey Wilson on a neutral court.

LEADING THE CHARGE

• IU Kokomo's offense showcased its depth with a well-distributed attack that kept opponents guessing. With multiple scoring threats across the lineup, the Cougars consistently found ways to finish points from all areas of the court.
• A balanced defensive effort, highlighted by timely digs throughout, paired with the setters combining for over 30 assists, helped IU Kokomo control the flow of the match on both sides of the net.

INSIDE THE HUDDLE

• "It was a great weekend for our team. We played some really strong volleyball, and earning a win over a ranked opponent is a great boost for our résumé. We're a completely different team than we were a month ago, and I'm so proud of our growth and the work everyone has put in. There are still tough challenges ahead, but we'll keep taking it one match at a time. I couldn't be happier or prouder of this group." - Head Coach Heather Hayes
• "We've really emphasized controlling the controllables on our side of the net, no matter who we play — maintaining our offensive tempo and staying disciplined defensively. As a team, we showcased that today. After facing an unranked team, we were able to refocus and bring home the win against #25. We've put a lot of work into staying composed in pressure moments, and that gives us the power to take control of the momentum in matches. We fought from behind a few times this weekend, but we always trusted our training and trusted each other to finish strong." - Junior Cali Cummings

THE ROAD AHEAD

• Next Match: Thursday, October 16th: @ Rio Grande - 7:00 PM ET 
• Next Home Match: Friday, October 24th: vs Oakland City - 7:00 PM ET 

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.