Red Wolves - IU East

WILMORE, Ky. - Put a check mark next to the biggest goal of all.

The Indiana University East volleyball team is headed to the NAIA National Championships.

The Red Wolves clinched a spot in the national tournament by winning the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference tournament on Saturday at Asbury College.

The top-seeded Red Wolves beat No. 3 seed Asbury 25-18, 28-26, 20-25, 25-21 in the championship match.

"What a rush," said IU East coach Charlie Brown, whose team (30-11) won its 10th match in a row. "I couldn't be prouder. The girls poured their hearts and souls into this season.

"It doesn't get any better than that."

It's the first KIAC tournament title for the IU East volleyball program.

"Check, check, check," Brown wrote in a text message after the match.

"First check - regular season conference champs.

"Second check - 20-plus wins.

"Third check - win conference tourney and a trip to nationals.

Brown then echoed the theme of IU East's Homecoming week:

"I've got a feeling tonight's gonna be a good night!"

The Red Wolves, who also won the KIAC regular season title, made a clean sweep of the KIAC's top honors.

Brown was named Coach of the Year.

Freshman middle hitter Breezy Strete (Troy, Ohio/Troy High School) was named KIAC Player of the Year.

Freshman setter Lauren Crump (Indianapolis, Ind./Scecina Memorial High School) was named to the all-KIAC first team.

Sophomore libero Madison Qualkenbush (New Castle, Ind./New Castle High School) and freshman outside hitter Brandie Sanders (Indianapolis, Ind./Pike High School) were named to the all-KIAC second team.

Sanders led IU East against Asbury with 19 kills. Strete had 17. Junior middle hitter Jessica White had five kills, none bigger than her kill on match point.

"As soon as (White) touched it, I knew they weren't going to pick it back up," Strete said. "The next thing I knew, we were all on the court celebrating. We were all so into it."

Crump had 46 assists in the title match. Qualkenbush made 21 digs.

The Red Wolves shook off a loss in the third game of the championship match and closed things out with authority.

"The first two games we were ready to go and show people what we had," Strete said. "We had a bit of a setback the third game and got a little nervous. The fourth game was do or die (for Asbury) and we had to step it up."

Asbury finished 23-13.

IU East will find out its draw for the NAIA National Championships at 7 p.m. Nov. 15. The Red Wolves likely will play in an Opening Round game Nov. 21 at a site and time to be determined.

Click here to view the full list of qualifiers for the NAIA National Championships.