KOKOMO, Ind. - In a matchup between a pair of streaking teams, both unbeaten in River States Conference play, veteran head coach Heather Hayes's 20th-ranked Cougars handled IU Southeast in straight sets Friday night to take control of the RSC West.

FAST FACTS

• LOCATION: Student Activities & Events Center | Kokomo, IN 
• UPDATED RECORDS: IU Southeast - 10-2 (3-1), IU Kokomo - 13-5 (4-0)
• NAIA TOP-25 RANKINGS: IU Southeast - N/A, IU Kokomo - #20

THE RUNDOWN 

• IU Kokomo never trailed in the opener, starting strong and hitting .293. The Cougars led 9-6 before a 6-0 run extended their lead to nine points, taking the first set 25-16.
• Set two was the closest of the match, with IU Southeast challenging the Cougars until the final points. Trailing by one, the Grenadiers went on a 4-0 run to take a 13-10 lead, forcing an IU Kokomo timeout. That would be their biggest lead, as the Cougars answered back to lead 18-16. IU Kokomo held a 23-21 advantage before IU Southeast tied it at 23, but the Cougars rallied to win the next two points and take the set.
• IU Southeast led early in the third set and held a three-point advantage at the midway mark, but IU Kokomo finished the match on a 13-2 run, closing out the sweep with a 25-16 third-set victory.

LEADING THE CHARGE

• IU Kokomo's block was a force Friday night, with Lexi Broyles and Ryleigh Hamilton each tallying a match-high four total blocks. Hamilton, a freshman from Southport High School in Indianapolis, impressed with a career-best three solo blocks.
• Mia Niekamp led the Cougars offensively as the only player to reach double-digit kills, finishing with a match-high 11.
• Mya Grisgby finished with a match-high 14 digs to go along with nine kills, also collecting a match-high four aces. Avery Littrell totaled 13 digs while Ava Rundle added nine.
• Allison Richman paced the Cougar setters with 15 assists, while Macy Chafin added 10 of her own.

INSIDE THE HUDDLE

• "We came out sharp and really locked in, executing at a high level from the start. In the second set we let up a little, but I was proud of how we battled through and found a way to pull out a tight win - something we've been working hard on this season. Our blocking was a real highlight tonight, which is great to see after putting such an emphasis on it in practice this past week. Overall, this was a really nice win for our team" - Head Coach Heather Hayes

THE ROAD AHEAD

• Next Match: 9/27 vs IU Columbus - 1:00 PM ET

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. Print Friendly Version