IU East News
Fri, Aug 21, 2009 - [Volleyball]
WINONA LAKE -- The Indiana University East volleyball team opened its season "gracefully," sweeping Grace 25-21, 25-16, 25-20 on Friday afternoon in the opening round of the Ramada Plaza Tournament at Grace.
It was the season opener for both teams.
"I'm happy to get that first win out of the way because we needed that to get a jump on the season," IU East coach Charlie Brown said.
Freshmen Breezy Strete (Troy, Ohio/Troy High School) and Lauren Crump (Indianapolis/Scecina High School) opened their college careers with 11 kills and 28 assists, respectively.
Madison Qualkenbush (New Castle, Ind./New Castle High School) led the defense with 13 digs.
It was a matchup of two young teams. Nine of the 13 players on the IU East roster are newcomers. The Grace roster includes seven freshmen.
"It was a battle of the youngsters. Our girls just pushed through and wanted it more," Brown said.
IU East trailed for much of Game 1. The Red Wolves finally took the lead for good at 20-19. IU East finished the game on an 8-2 surge.
Stacie Muir (Noblesville, Ind./Noblesville High School) had a pair of key kills in the late run. Akeyta Mayes (Indianapolis/Lawrence North High School) had a timely ace.
"We started a little slow, but we're a young team and there will be nerves. Once we settled down, we played really well," Brown said.
The momentum carried over to Game 2. IU East jumped ahead 3-0 and 11-4. The Red Wolves enjoyed a double-digit lead for much of the game. Strete had five of her kills in Game 2.
IU East got off to another strong start in the final game. The Red Wolves won six of the first eight points and would lead by as many as eight points.
"Execution was the key. We kept it at our level," Strete said. "I was kind of nervous starting out, but I thought we did really well, and I'm really proud of us."
It was the season opener for both teams.
"I'm happy to get that first win out of the way because we needed that to get a jump on the season," IU East coach Charlie Brown said.
Freshmen Breezy Strete (Troy, Ohio/Troy High School) and Lauren Crump (Indianapolis/Scecina High School) opened their college careers with 11 kills and 28 assists, respectively.
Madison Qualkenbush (New Castle, Ind./New Castle High School) led the defense with 13 digs.
It was a matchup of two young teams. Nine of the 13 players on the IU East roster are newcomers. The Grace roster includes seven freshmen.
"It was a battle of the youngsters. Our girls just pushed through and wanted it more," Brown said.
IU East trailed for much of Game 1. The Red Wolves finally took the lead for good at 20-19. IU East finished the game on an 8-2 surge.
Stacie Muir (Noblesville, Ind./Noblesville High School) had a pair of key kills in the late run. Akeyta Mayes (Indianapolis/Lawrence North High School) had a timely ace.
"We started a little slow, but we're a young team and there will be nerves. Once we settled down, we played really well," Brown said.
The momentum carried over to Game 2. IU East jumped ahead 3-0 and 11-4. The Red Wolves enjoyed a double-digit lead for much of the game. Strete had five of her kills in Game 2.
IU East got off to another strong start in the final game. The Red Wolves won six of the first eight points and would lead by as many as eight points.
"Execution was the key. We kept it at our level," Strete said. "I was kind of nervous starting out, but I thought we did really well, and I'm really proud of us."
