IU East News
The Indiana University East volleyball team's historic season ended with a 25-17, 25-14, 25-19 loss at Taylor in an NAIA National Championship Opening Round contest.
The Red Wolves started their day with an impromptu caravan around the IU East campus before their bus ride to Upland.
But the Trojans will be making the trip to Sioux City, Iowa, to compete at the NAIA National Championship Final Site.The Red Wolves, who were making their first appearance in the NAIA National Championship, finished 30-12.
Taylor improved to 35-5. The Trojans have won seven in a row. IU East had a 10-match winning streak snapped.
"They're by far the best team we've played this year and by far the biggest team," IU East coach Charlie Brown said. "And they earned their victory. But we didn't play our best match. The numbers kind of speak for themselves. Our ball control numbers weren't where we needed to be, and our attack percentage was definitely below our season average. But credit that to Taylor's stingy defense.
"But we can't lose sight of the fact we've had an amazing season. We've done everything we said we would do. We made it here. And there are more than 300 teams that can't say the same thing."
The Red Wolves led on several occasions in Game 1, the last time at 10-9. Taylor came back with five consecutive points to take control of the game.
IU East lost the longest and best point of the match to fall behind 4-3 in Game 2. The exchange seemed to swing the momentum to the Trojans, who proceeded to win eight of the next 10 points.
The Red Wolves regrouped and hung tough in Game 3. They led 5-2 early. They led 12-10 later.
"I'll always remember the look in everybody's eyes in that third game," said freshman outside hitter Brandie Sanders (Indianapolis, Ind./Pike High School). "Everybody wanted it so bad. Everybody knew what the goal was. We really did want this."
Taylor would take the lead for good at 14-13. IU East would get within 20-19, but couldn't get over the hump. The Trojans won the last five points.
Sanders led IU East with eight kills. Freshman setter Lauren Crump (Indianapolis, Ind./Scecina Memorial High School) had 23 assists. Sophomore libero Madison Qualkenbush (New Castle, Ind./New Castle High School) has 12 digs.
Jackie Geile led Taylor with 18 kills. The Trojans hit .366 for the match.
"We just didn't get the job done, but we learned from that. We learned what we've got to do to get better next year, because as our motto was all this year, we're not settling!" Brown said. "We'll be back."
QUALKENBUSH HONORED
Qualkenbush honored as IU East's recipient of the NAIA Champions of Character Award during a banquet prior to the IU East-Taylor match.
