Red Wolves - IU East

Ohio Dominican University proved too tall a task for the Indiana University East volleyball team on Oct. 20.

The Red Wolves fell 28-26, 25-21, 25-20 against the Panthers to conclude a four-match homestand at Seton Catholic High School.

"Did we play bad? No. Did we play great? No. We played average," IU East coach Charlie Brown said.

"Did we get smoked? No. Did we play a good team? Yes. Did we beat a good team? No. The reason is, we didn't do the necessary things as it relates to execution."

The loss put a damper on a record-breaking night for freshman outside hitter Breezy Strete (Troy, Ohio/Troy High School).

Strete put away 13 kills, hit at a .545 clip and passed the IU East school record for kills in a season.

Strete now has 323 kills on the season. She passed the previous record of 314 set by Amy Stultz last season.

"Breezy did a really good job. She's going to push that record higher and higher because we still have a a lot of games," said freshman setter Lauren Crump (Indianapolis, Ind./Scecina Memorial High School), who assisted on most of those kills.
"So I'm happy for her, and I'm happy to set her up any time."

Ohio Dominican enjoyed a two-to-three-inch height advantage across the floor, but Brown said the Red Wolves' ball control was a bigger factor in the final outcome.

"We made a lot of mistakes that kept them alive in the match and didn't allow us to push the match, and as a result, you don't win matches like that," Brown said.

"Our ball control kept us from being on top. When the ball comes on our side, we should be in control of that ball, and that's part of what got us in trouble. We let the ball play us."

IU East (20-9) had a game point in the first game, but couldn't convert. The Panthers (17-13) surged late in Game 2 and Game 3 to put away the match.

Freshman outside hitter Brandie Sanders (Indianapolis, Ind./Pike High School) had 12 kills, 18 digs and received 24 serves without an error for the Red Wolves.

Sophomore libero Madison Qualkenbush (New Castle, Ind./New Castle High School) also made 18 digs. Crump had 40 assists.

IU East plays at College of Mount St. Joseph on Saturday.