Red Wolves - IU East

CINCINNATI -- A wounded pack of Red Wolves couldn't escape the Lions' den with a victory.

The Indiana University East volleyball team fell 25-13, 23-25, 25-9, 25-15 on Oct. 24 at College of Mount St. Joseph.

The Red Wolves (20-10) played without two starters. Freshman setter Lauren Crump (Indianapolis, Ind./Scecina Memorial High School) sat out with a sprained wrist (though her navigational skills proved useful when the Red Wolves were driving to Mount St. Joseph). Freshman outside hitter Brandie Sanders (Indianapolis, Ind./Pike High School), who plays all around in the Red Wolves' rotation, was home in Indianapolis with flu-like symptoms. And several IU East players took the floor despite various other ailments and injuries.

The absences forced several IU East players into unfamiliar roles. Sophomore Kait Ervin (West Alexandria, Ohio/Twin Valley South High School) made her first start at setter. Several Red Wolves front row players took turns in the back row.

"The absence of Lauren and Brandie on the court offensively and defensively was insurmountable," Red Wolves coach Charlie Brown said. "We were playing front row players in the back row and our right side was setting .... players weren't playing in their normal positions."

"We've got to get everybody healthy. We're just not healthy right now."

NCAA Division III Mount St. Joseph (19-8) took advantage of IU East's shorthanded status with romps in Games 1 and 3, but the Red Wolves still had their chances.

The Red Wolves won the second game on a well-timed tip by sophomore outside hitter Courtney Flory (New Paris, Ohio/National Trail High School). IU East was within 17-15 in Game 4 before losing the last eight points.

"In the one set we won we showed good play and stepped up," Ervin said. "It was our own errors that made us fall behind."

Flory led IU East with eight kills. Junior middle hitter Jessica White (Sheldon, Ill./Kankakee Community College) had three solo blocks and four block assists, and also served up three aces. Sophomore libero Madison Qualkenbush (New Castle, Ind./New Castle High School) made 16 digs. Ervin distributed 21 assists.

The Red Wolves play Oct. 27 at Marian University.