IU East News
The Red Wolves really cleaned up the floor on match day.
The Indiana University East volleyball players literally helped clean up the floor in the Richmond High School Tiernan Center before their 25-20, 25-10, 25-18 victory against St. Louis College of Pharmacy on Sept. 26.
The Red Wolves helped with takedown following the Taste of Home Cooking and Women's Expo that also was scheduled for the Tiernan Center on Sept. 26. The work of the volleyball players and the cooperation of the Richmond High School custodial staff allowed the match to start at 5:45 p.m., just 45 minutes after the scheduled start time.
The Red Wolves (15-3, 1-0) proceeded to sweep away the Eutectics (2-6, 0-3) for a clean start to Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play.
IU East had a few frustrating moments, particularly before and during Game 1, but still got the win.
"Getting the first conference win was the most important thing, no matter how we did it or who it was against," IU East coach Charlie Brown said. "We didn't play up to our potential, but any time you don't play up to your potential and still get a win, that's a good thing."
IU East has won four consecutive matches.
Freshman outside hitter Brandie Sanders (Indianapolis, Ind.) and freshman middle hitter Breezy Strete (Troy, Ohio/Troy High School) enjoyed big hitting days. Sanders finished with a season-high 16 kills. Strete celebrated her 19th birthday one day early with 12 kills and just two errors in 25 attempts, good for a .400 hitting percentage.
"Our hard hitting made a difference," Strete said. "Brandie Sanders had a great game with hard hits all of the time."
The Red Wolves trailed 6-2 in the early stages after some strong blocking by the Eutectics and some attack errors. IU East pulled ahead at 15-14 on Strete's first kill, part of an 8-1 surge that made the difference in Game 1. The Red Wolves would not trail again in the first game.
The Red Wolves were never threatened in Game 2. They went ahead to stay at 12-11 in Game 3.
"We were kind of quiet when we started," Strete said. "It seemed like the second game we were talking the whole time, and the third game we were talking the whole time. We started executing and talking a lot more, and that helps a lot."
Sophomore libero Madison Qualkenbush (New Castle, Ind./New Castle High School) led the defense with 20 digs. Freshman defensive specialist Kristin Waechter (Muncie, Ind./Daleville High School) served up three aces. Freshman setter Lauren Crump (Indianapolis, Ind./Scecina High School) distributed 37 assists.
The Red Wolves return to action Sept. 28 at 7 p.m. against Marian University in the Tiernan Center.
