SIOUX CITY, Iowa. - The 14th-ranked, No. 13 seed IU Kokomo volleyball team saw its season come to an end Friday afternoon, falling in straight sets to Indiana Wesleyan in the Pool D finale at the 2025 NAIA Women's Volleyball Championship Opening Round presented by Marriott South Sioux City Riverfront and Explore Siouxland.

The Cougars, led by 13th-year head coach Heather Hayes and her staff, made their third consecutive appearance at the final site in Sioux City, marking the third straight season in which they earned a win in Iowa to secure a "Sweet 16" finish. This year also represented the program's 11th consecutive NAIA Championship appearance, further cementing IU Kokomo's rise on the national stage.

FAST FACTS - 3-0 Loss vs #4 seed Indiana Wesleyan University

• LOCATION: Tyson Events Center | Sioux City, Iowa 
• UPDATED RECORDS: IU Kokomo 32-6, Indiana Wesleyan - 30-4
• NAIA TOP-25 RANKINGS: IU Kokomo - #14, Indiana Wesleyan - #8

THE RUNDOWN 

• IU Kokomo controlled much of the opening set, jumping out to a 7–3 lead after winning seven of the first 10 points. Indiana Wesleyan rallied to take a 12–10 edge midway through the frame, but the Cougars answered with five straight points to regain a 15–12 lead and force a Wildcat timeout. Holding a 20–19 advantage late, IU Kokomo couldn't hold off the final surge, as Indiana Wesleyan claimed six of the last seven points to take the set, 25–20.
• The Cougars once again started strong in set two before Indiana Wesleyan found its rhythm offensively, pulling ahead 13–11 midway through the frame. A kill from Mia Niekamp pulled IU Kokomo even at 17, but the Wildcats answered with a 5–0 run to take a commanding 22–17 lead late in the set.
• Coach Hayes's squad showed their resiliency, saving two set points before earning one of their own on a kill from Mya Grigsby and two from Mia Niekamp. Unfortunately, IU Kokomo dropped the final three points, with Indiana Wesleyan taking the set 27–25 to claim a 2–0 lead.
• The Wildcat offense proved difficult to contain in the third set, jumping out to a 4–0 lead and prompting an IU Kokomo timeout while leading 11–6. The Cougars cut the deficit to seven at 22–15, forcing a Wildcat timeout, but Indiana Wesleyan closed out the set 25–17 to complete the sweep.

LEADING THE CHARGE

• Mia Niekamp led the Cougars with 13 kills, finishing a standout junior year as the team's kills leader (399).
• Mya Grigsby registered her ninth double-double of the year, posting 12 kills to go along with a team-best 19 digs.
• Allison Richman closed out her collegiate career with a 23-assist performance, while Avery Littrell added 12 digs and five assists.
• Ryleigh Hamilton closed out a strong freshman campaign by leading the Cougars with five blocks.

INSIDE THE HUDDLE

• "This group gave us a season we'll never forget. To finish 32–6, undefeated in conference play, and inside the top-16 in the nation speaks to their talent, but it's their growth from August to now that truly defines them. Four of our six losses came against teams that reached the final site—so we know we were competing among the very best in the country. This team kept raising its ceiling week after week, and the fight they showed all year made this run incredibly special." - Head Coach Heather Hayes
• Coach Hayes on her senior class - "Our seniors… they are the heart of this program. They've set the standard for what it means to compete, to lead, to love your teammates, and to leave the jersey better than you found it. Their legacy will stay with us long after the last point, and while we'll miss them deeply, we're grateful for everything they poured into this program. This was a heck of a season, and they were a huge reason why."

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.