KOKOMO, Ind. - The IU Kokomo volleyball team opened its 2026 campaign Friday with a pair of matches in Fort Wayne as part of day one of the Onset Invitational. The Cougars took down a strong, previously undefeated Southeastern squad 3-1 in their season opener before falling to No. 11 Missouri Baptist 3-1 to close out the day.
Match One: 3-1 win vs Southeastern
First Set
- Indiana University Kokomo took an early 2-0 lead with a kill from Mya Grigsby and a service ace by Alexa Miedema.
- SEU responded with a 5-0 run to lead 5-2.
- The Cougars managed to tie the score at 5-5 following a block by Rylee Springer and Ryleigh Hamilton and a kill by Hamilton.
- Southeastern pulled away late with a strong sequence.
Second Set
- SEU maintained an early advantage, reaching a 6-4 lead.
- IUK rallied back to tie the score at 9-9, aided by multiple attack errors from Southeastern, including blocks by Trishell Johnson.
- Southeastern extended its lead to 18-15, but IUK responded with a run to tie at 20-20.
- The Cougs closed the set on a 5-2 run, clinched by Mya Grigsby's decisive kill.
Third Set
- IUK established an early lead with a series of errors from SEU, moving ahead 9-4, punctuated by two service aces from Avery Littrell.
- Grigsby delivered multiple kills, helping IUK maintain its advantage at 14-9 despite a brief Southeastern rally.
- SEU closed the gap to 20-17 after capitalizing on the Cougs' attack errors, prompting a timeout from IUK.
- IUK secured the set, ending on a Southeastern service error, to take a 2-1 lead in the match.
Fourth Set
- Southeastern gained an early advantage at 11-7, prompting a timeout by Indiana University Kokomo.
- IUK responded with a strong offensive push led by Grigsby, who set a new program record for kills in a four-set match, leveling the score at 16-16, including a service ace.
- With the score tied at 21-21, the Cougars managed to edge ahead with a kill from Grigsby, forcing SEU to call a timeout.
- IUK secured the set on another Grigsby kill, completing a comeback to win the match.
IU Kokomo Top Performers
Match Two: 3-1 loss vs #11 Missouri Baptist
.First Set
- The teams exchanged points early, with the Cougars tying the score at 8-8 after a kill by Mya Grigsby.
- Missouri Baptist built a 16-12 lead following consecutive blocks.
- Indiana University Kokomo pulled even at 22-22 with a pair of kills from Grigsby, prompting a timeout by Missouri Baptist.
- The Spartans secured the set 25-23 after a decisive kill and a Cougars attack error.
Second Set
- IU Kokomo opened the set with a service ace from Natalie Sevier, quickly securing a 2-0 lead.
- Midway through the set, Avery Littrell's service run, including two aces, extended IU Kokomo's advantage to 15-6, prompting two timeouts from Missouri Baptist.
- The Spartans rallied with a 7-0 run, cutting the deficit to 17-13 with a service ace and a kill.
- Indiana University Kokomo closed the set with a kill from Trishell Johnson, securing a 25-18 victory.
Third Set
- Missouri Baptist gained an early advantage with a 4-0 run, including kills, to lead 6-3.
- IU Kokomo responded with a series of blocks and kills, highlighted by Mia Niekamp's scoring, leveling the score at 8-8.
- After trailing, Indiana University Kokomo surged ahead with a sequence that included a service ace by Alexa Miedema, pushing its lead to 14-10.
- In the tense closing stages, Missouri Baptist registered crucial kills, sealing the set 28-26 against Indiana University Kokomo.
Fourth Set
- IU Kokomo opened the set with an early service ace by Natalie Sevier, but Missouri Baptist quickly responded to level the score at 1-1.
- The Spartans gained momentum with a 6-3 advantage, capitalized by a kill at 5-3.
- The Cougs rallied to tie the set 13-13 after a service ace by Mya Grigsby, prompting a timeout from Missouri Baptist.
- Missouri Baptist closed on a decisive run, highlighted by multiple kills, to secure the set 25-18 and win the match.
IU Kokomo Top Performers
The Cougars are set to return to action Saturday at the Turnstone Center in Fort Wayne for day two of the Onset Invitational. IU Kokomo will take on Michigan-Dearborn at 8:30 AM before facing Campbellsville at 3:00 PM to close out opening weekend.
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.
