KOKOMO, Ind. — The IU Kokomo women's volleyball team delivered one of its most dominant performances of the season Saturday afternoon, sweeping Kentucky Christian in straight sets (25-11, 25-11, 25-3) behind a record-setting performance from junior
Mya Grigsby.
Grigsby was nearly unstoppable offensively, putting down 13 kills without committing an error on just 15 attempts for an astounding .867 hitting percentage, setting a new program record for a three-set match. The Cougars (19-6, 8-1 RSC) also established season highs with a .463 team hitting percentage and 16 service aces while limiting Kentucky Christian (1-19, 1-8 RSC) to just 10 kills and a negative .052 hitting percentage.
First Set
- IU Kokomo wasted little time establishing control, jumping out to a 10-3 lead behind kills from Cali Cummings and Mia Niekamp and consecutive service aces from Alexa Miedema.
- After Kentucky Christian trimmed the deficit to 13-7, the Cougars rattled off seven unanswered points. Gracelynn Olson delivered two aces during the run, while Niekamp, Mya Grigsby and Cummings each added kills to extend the advantage to 20-7.
- The Knights managed three of the next four points, but IU Kokomo closed the opening frame with an ace from Miedema and kills from Grigsby and Natalie Sevier to take the set 25-11.
Second Set
- The Cougars continued their momentum into the second, using a five-point run to turn a 3-2 lead into an 8-2 advantage. Grigsby, Sevier and Cummings each recorded kills before Tia Williams capped the stretch with consecutive service aces.
- IU Kokomo maintained its offensive rhythm throughout the middle of the set, building a 16-6 lead behind another Miedema ace and kills from Cummings, Sevier and Grigsby.
- A dominant stretch saw the Cougars claim seven of eight points to push the margin to 23-7, highlighted by two Avery Littrell service aces and a kill from Makenzie Creviston.
- Kentucky Christian responded with four consecutive points, but Grigsby halted the run with a kill before Williams delivered the set-clinching ace for another 25-11 victory.
Third Set
- IU Kokomo saved its most dominant set for last, racing out to a 6-0 advantage behind early kills from Grigsby and Cummings and a block from Creviston.
- After the Knights scored their first point, Grigsby answered with another kill before Claire Campanello stepped to the service line and fueled a remarkable run of 10 consecutive points, extending the Cougar lead to 17-1.
- Kentucky Christian briefly stopped the momentum with two straight points, but Ryleigh Hamilton responded with a kill to regain possession for IU Kokomo.
- Miedema then served out the final seven points as the Cougars closed the match with an emphatic 25-3 third-set victory to complete the sweep.
Top Performers
- Junior Mya Grigsby turned in a historic offensive performance, recording a match-high 13 kills without an error on just 15 swings for a program-record .867 hitting percentage in a three-set match. The standout outside hitter also added three digs and reached at least 13 kills for the third consecutive match.
- Cali Cummings continued her strong play at the net, finishing with nine kills on .429 hitting while adding three total blocks, including one solo rejection. The senior has now recorded at least three blocks in three consecutive matches.
- Alexa Miedema was a force from the service line, recording a match-high five aces to go along with six digs and a kill on her lone attack attempt.
- Gracelynn Olson dished out nine assists while adding three aces and two digs, while Avery Littrell contributed seven digs, five assists and two service aces.
- Tia Williams also enjoyed a career-best afternoon from the service line, matching Olson with three aces.
- Alexis Baney added her first solo block of the season.
The Cougars return to action Friday, October 23, when they travel to New Albany, Indiana, for a River States Conference matchup against IU Southeast. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Activities Building.
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, X and Instagram.
