Red Wolves - IU East

Maybe it was the early start time. Maybe it was the breakfast goodies on the bus ride. Maybe it was an accidental lineup that provided an unexpected spark.

Whatever it was, a completely different Indiana University East volleyball team showed up for the second day of the Cedarville University Invitational on Sept. 12.

Red Wolves coach Charlie Brown characterized his team's improvement on the tournament's second day as "night and day" after a "flat" opening day.

IU East's efforts were rewarded with a 25-19, 25-20, 18-25, 25-20 win against the University of St. Francis in its tournament finale. The Red Wolves concluded the event with a 2-2 record.

IU East lost in five games against tournament champion St. Xavier University earlier Sept. 12. The Red Wolves split their two matches on Sept. 11.

"It was a good growth experience for us," Brown said. "The adjustments were made. The attitudes were a total, total adjustment. The players weren't any happier than we were about their (Sept. 11 performance) and they responded very well. They played at the level we hoped they would play at yesterday."

Freshman middle hitter Breezy Strete (Troy, Ohio/Troy High School) and freshman setter Lauren Crump (Indianapolis, Ind./Scecina High School) represented IU East (10-2) on the all-tournament team.

"It's amazing to be recognized by the other coaches, but we wouldn't be up there at all without the rest of the girls doing their thing," Strete said.

The Red Wolves almost literally were a completely different team when they accidentally got caught in some unfamiliar rotations in Game 1 against St. Francis (4-3). Strete found herself lining up in the back row on several points - but made a career-high seven digs. Crump was well below her average assist count in Game 1 - but led the team in kills.

"I think the coaches just wanted to prove we could play out of position and still play through it," sophomore defensive specialist Madison Qualkenbush (New Castle, Ind./New Castle High School) joked after the first game.

One way or another, it worked.

The Red Wolves pulled away late in the opening game and never relinquished control of the match.

IU East had some nervous moments when St. Francis won the third game and took an 11-6 lead in Game 4. The Red Wolves regained the advantage at 14-12 after a six-point serving run from Crump. IU East never trailed again.

Brandie Sanders (Indianapolis, Ind./Pike High School) led the Red Wolves with 14 kills and 18 digs. Strete had 11 kills. Kait Ervin (West Alexandria, Ohio/Twin Valley South High School) and Jessica White (Sheldon, Ill./Kankakee Community College) had eight kills apiece. Crump tallied 37 assists and three aces.

IU East returns to action Wednesday with a home match against Huntington University at the Richmond High School Tiernan Center.