Red Wolves - IU East

MIDWAY, Ky. - The showdown is set.

The Indiana University East volleyball team set up a winner-take-all weekend to determine the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference regular season champion with a 25-18, 25-13, 28-26 victory against Mountain State University on Oct. 31 at Midway College.

The Red Wolves (23-11, 6-0 KIAC) beat Midway College 25-20, 25-20, 25-18 earlier Oct. 31

IU East will host IU Southeast at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7 at the Richmond High School Tiernan Center, with the winner claiming the KIAC regular season title. Both teams are 6-0 in league play.

"We've been talking about this the entire season," IU East coach Charlie Brown said. "We knew it could come down to one last match in November, and if we play well, we'll win the conference title. And if not, we'll have only ourselves to blame."

Freshman middle hitter Breezy Strete (Troy, Ohio/Troy High School) led the Red Wolves with 15 kills, including eight in the third game.

Freshman setter Lauren Crump (Indianapolis, Ind./Scecina Memorial High School) had 45 assists, including 20 in one game alone.

Freshman defensive specialist Kristin Waechter (Muncie, Ind./Daleville High School) clinched the match with aces on the final two points.

"Clutch," Brown said. "Couldn't have come at a better time."

Sophomore libero Madison Qualkenbush led IU East in digs.

Mountain State fell to 14-18 overall and 3-4 in league play.

"We went in and took care of business," Brown concluded. "We have talked for so long about getting positive contributions from everyone, especially in the front row. Everyone showed up and played like a team that wouldn't be denied this weekend."

IU East and IU Southeast also will both play Berea College on Nov. 7. Neither team's KIAC championship hopes would be affected by a loss against Berea.

The Red Wolves play at Huntington University on Monday at 7 p.m.