KOKOMO, Ind. — Mya Grigsby added another milestone to an already decorated career Friday night, surpassing 1,000 career digs as IU Kokomo swept IU Southeast 3-0 (25-22, 25-18, 25-18) inside the Student Activities and Events Center.
Grigsby entered the night needing seven digs to reach the milestone and recorded her 1,000th career dig in the third set. Just 19 matches into her junior season, Grigsby became only the second player in IU Kokomo volleyball program history to record both 1,000 career kills and 1,000 career digs.
The milestone comes less than a month after Grigsby surpassed 1,000 career kills on Sept. 4, becoming the fastest player in program history to reach that mark.
"As a perfectionist who is always pushing herself to be better, Mya holds herself to the absolute highest standard," head coach Heather Hayes said. "I am so proud to see all the hard work she has put in, and for her to achieve these things is a true testament to that relentless dedication. That incredible drive is why she is only the second person in school history to achieve the feat of reaching both 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs. It is a tremendous accomplishment, and I'm so proud of her."
Grigsby finished the night with 12 digs and nine kills, while the Cougars turned in a strong all-around performance in the sweep. IU Kokomo hit .250 with 42 kills and 11 blocks while limiting IU Southeast to a .053 hitting percentage.
First Set
- The Cougars jumped out to a 6-2 lead behind kills from Mia Niekamp and Cali Cummings, along with a block from Niekamp and Trishell Johnson.
- IU Kokomo stretched its advantage to 18-10, with Natalie Sevier and Grigsby adding kills before an Alexa Miedema service ace.
- IU Southeast responded with eight consecutive points to even the set at 18-18, but the Cougars regained control down the stretch.
- Grigsby put IU Kokomo at set point with a kill at 24-22 before Niekamp closed out the 25-22 win with a kill off an assist from Gracelynn Olson.
Second Set
- IU Kokomo won the opening three points behind a Niekamp/Cummings block and kills from Cummings and Grigsby before IU Southeast worked back within 10-8.
- Grigsby answered with a kill, and the Cougars later used a 6-1 run to turn an 11-9 advantage into a 17-10 lead behind two Sevier kills and a Johnson block.
- IU Southeast pulled within 17-13, but kills from Ryleigh Hamilton and Grigsby quickly pushed the IU Kokomo advantage back to six.
- After the Grenadiers cut the deficit to 22-17, a Niekamp/Cummings block and kills from Cummings and Niekamp helped the Cougars finish off a 25-18 victory.
Third Set
- After an even start, IU Kokomo created separation and took a 12-8 lead behind kills from Niekamp and Cummings, a Cummings block and an Olson service ace.
- Kills from Sevier and Hamilton helped stretch the lead to 18-12 before IU Southeast answered with a run to pull within 20-18.
- Cummings stopped the run with a kill, and the Cougars scored the final four points of the match with Olson at the service line.
- Cummings delivered three kills during the closing stretch, including the match-ending point, as IU Kokomo completed the sweep with another 25-18 set win.
IU Kokomo Top Performers
- Cali Cummings: 10 kills, .500 hitting percentage, five total blocks and a team-high 13 points. Her 10 kills and five blocks were both season highs.
- Mia Niekamp: Team-high 11 kills, .500 hitting percentage, three block assists and 12.5 points.
- Mya Grigsby: Nine kills, 12 digs, one solo block and 10 points. Grigsby surpassed 1,000 career digs with her seventh dig of the match.
- Gracelynn Olson: Team-high 20 assists, seven digs and one service ace.
- Avery Littrell: Team-high 14 digs and three assists.
- Trishell Johnson: Four total blocks, including two solo blocks. Johnson has recorded at least four total blocks in three consecutive matches.
The Cougars face a quick turnaround, returning to the court in less than 24 hours for a tough matchup with IU Columbus at 1:00 PM Saturday inside the Student Activities and Events Center.
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.
