Red Wolves - IU East

The Red Wolves face their toughest trek of the season this weekend -- in more ways than one.

The Indiana University East volleyball team will travel more than 500 round-trip miles to face Union College (Ky.) on Sept. 18 and University of the Cumberlands on Sept. 19.

It's the longest trip so far this season for the Red Wolves (11-2), and they'll face perhaps their stiffest competition to date. Union (5-2) is 40th in the NAIA Coaches Top 25 Volleyball Poll, just ahead of IU East. The Red Wolves are 42nd in this week's poll.

"It'll be in their house and a high-level team. It's one of the best teams we've played this season so far," IU East coach Charlie Brown said. "It's going to be a long trip. We'll have to get off the bus and go play, but that's part of the game. That's part of college athletics. We look forward to the opportunity."

The Bulldogs' most impressive statistics are on defense. Union is No. 44 in the NAIA in digs per game. The Bulldogs' Amanda Silva is 22nd in the NAIA in digs per game with 5.41. She also is 13th in the NAIA in aces per game with 0.76.

The University of the Cumberlands (6-9) also shows up among the NAIA's defensive leaders. The Patriots are 31st n the NAIA in digs per game. UC's Kaylyn Suttles is tied for 22nd in individual digs per game with 5.41.

"Another high-level match," Brown said. The Red Wolves are 38th in the NAIA in hitting percentage. Freshman setter Lauren Crump (Indianapolis, Ind./Scecina High School) is 25th in the NAIA in assists per game.

Click here view a video streaming feed from the Union College match at 7 p.m. Sept. 18.