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Indiana University Kokomo

Official Website of Indiana University kokomo Athletics Indiana University Watermark
WVB Senior Day Post Point
Brady Dittfield
1
Rio Grande (Ohio) RGRAND 20-16,0-0
3
Winner IU-Kokomo KOKOMO 25-7,0-0
Rio Grande (Ohio) RGRAND
20-16,0-0
1
Final
3
IU-Kokomo KOKOMO
25-7,0-0
Winner
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Rio Grande (Ohio) RGRAND 22 26 23 15 (1)
IU-Kokomo KOKOMO 25 24 25 25 (3)

Game Recap: Volleyball |

Volleyball Clinches 12th Straight NAIA National Championship Berth, Advances to RSC Title Match

SAINT MARY-OF-THE-WOODS, Ind. — The No. 23 IU Kokomo women's volleyball team secured its 12th consecutive NAIA National Championship appearance Friday evening, defeating third-seeded Rio Grande in four sets (25-22, 24-26, 25-23, 25-15) in the River States Conference Tournament Semifinals at the Jeanne Knoerle Center.

The second-seeded Cougars (25-7) punched their ticket to the national tournament by advancing to Saturday's RSC Tournament Championship match against top-seeded Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. The River States Conference receives two automatic bids to the NAIA National Championship, with the first awarded to the regular-season champion and the second awarded to the conference tournament winner. Saint Mary-of-the-Woods earned the first automatic bid by winning the regular-season title, and with the Pomeroys also advancing to Saturday's championship, the second bid is guaranteed to IU Kokomo since SMWC has already qualified, regardless of Saturday's outcome.

The victory extended the Cougars' streak to 12 consecutive national tournament appearances, all coming under 14th-year head coach Heather Hayes. IU Kokomo has also advanced to the RSC Tournament Championship match every season since 2015, further highlighting the program's sustained success under Hayes' leadership. The Cougars now sit just one win away from adding another conference tournament title to their résumé.

IU Kokomo finished the match with 60 kills on a .189 hitting percentage while limiting Rio Grande to 47 kills and a .136 hitting percentage. The Cougars also held advantages in digs (81-71), assists (59-43) and service aces (9-6).

First Set
  • Both teams came out aggressively from the service line, combining for four early aces as they worked through the opening stages of the semifinal matchup.
  • Rio Grande used a three-point run to build an 11-7 advantage, forcing an IU Kokomo timeout. The Cougars continued to battle from behind, trailing 14-11 near the midway point of the set.
  • The Cougars eventually erased the deficit before Rio Grande regained a 21-20 advantage. IU Kokomo responded with a crucial block to tie the score at 21-21, forcing a RedStorm timeout.
  • IU Kokomo controlled the closing stretch, scoring five of the final six points to secure a 25-22 opening-set victory.
  • The Cougars finished the set with 16 kills on 49 attempts, hitting .184.

Second Set
  • IU Kokomo responded to an early rotation violation with a strong stretch of play, building momentum and eventually establishing a 14-9 advantage near the midway point.
  • Rio Grande battled back as the set progressed, erasing the deficit and taking a 22-20 lead to force the Cougars' final timeout.
  • The RedStorm extended their advantage to 24-21, but IU Kokomo refused to go away, scoring three consecutive points to even the set at 24-24. The comeback included a service ace from Grigsby.
  • Rio Grande answered with consecutive kills to claim a 26-24 victory, evening the match at one set apiece.

Third Set
  • The two teams traded points throughout the early stages of a tightly contested third set before IU Kokomo began to create separation.
  • The Cougars built an 18-13 advantage, but Rio Grande responded with a run of its own, cutting the deficit to 18-16 before eventually pulling even at 19-19.
  • The RedStorm continued their comeback and moved ahead 22-21, putting IU Kokomo in another late-set battle.
  • The Cougars answered when it mattered most, reclaiming the lead before closing out a 25-23 victory to take a 2-1 advantage in the match.

Fourth Set
  • IU Kokomo wasted little time establishing control in the fourth set, scoring the first five points behind Littrell's serving.
  • Cummings played a key role in the Cougars' early offensive success, helping IU Kokomo build an 11-2 advantage and putting Rio Grande on its heels.
  • The Cougars continued to extend their lead, eventually moving ahead 18-6 as their offensive attack and defensive pressure overwhelmed the RedStorm.
  • IU Kokomo maintained its double-digit advantage throughout the closing stages, with Cummings delivering the match-clinching kill to secure a 25-15 victory.
  • The Cougars recorded 15 kills while hitting .214 in the final set, holding Rio Grande to just seven kills and a .000 hitting percentage to complete the four-set victory.

Individual Highlights
With the victory, IU Kokomo advances to Saturday's River States Conference Tournament Championship match against top-seeded Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College at 5:00 PM ET. The Cougars will look to claim the conference tournament title against the Pomeroys, who won the regular-season championship.

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.
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