Red Wolves - IU East

The Red Wolves defended their house.

The Indiana University East volleyball team improved to 8-0 with a 25-15, 25-16, 25-8 victory against Miami University Middletown on Wednesday evening in the Richmond High School Tiernan Center.

It was the home opener for the Red Wolves, who took the floor with the slogan "Our House" written on their wrists.

"It means nobody is going to come on our court and beat us," junior middle hitter Kristen Mahoney said. "It's our place to defend, so we gave it all we had to make sure we did that."

Mahoney sparked IU East in Game 1 with a kill, a block and five service points in a surge that turned a 13-13 deadlock into a 21-14 Red Wolves lead.

"It was exciting to come in and support my team," Mahoney said. "Coach (Charlie Brown) told me I had to bring some energy, so I tried to bring that for him."

IU East seized control of Game 2 by winning 17 of 21 points for a 17-7 lead. The Red Wolves never trailed in Game 3, increasing their advantage from start to finish.

"We got out of the gate really slow," Brown said. "We could have played harder and with more intensity, but it's good to be able to say that and still get a win."

IU East enjoyed an extra boost from the new "Howl Crowd" student section. More than 50 students, most wearing their crimson "Howl Crowd" t-shirts, gathered in the bleachers at the north end of the court. They howled during MU Middletown serves, joined in the players' cheers after big kills and enjoyed the Red Wolves' victory.

"I was really excited to see everyone here in all of their shirts," Mahoney said. "There were a lot more people here than there would have been without the Howl Crowd, and that is exciting."

Added Brown: "That was a blast. It was really neat to hear them and see them. We appreciated that as a team. It means a lot to us for them to take their time and support IU East volleyball. That speaks volumes for where the entire athletics program is going at IU East."

Breezy Strete led IU East with 13 kills in just 16 attempts, along with three blocks. Brandie Sanders added nine kills and a team-best 10 digs. Stacie Muir and Twin Valley South graduate Kait Ervin contributed five kills apiece. Lauren Crump distributed 38 assists. The Red Wolves combined to go 38 of 39 on serve reception.

The Thunderhawks fell to 1-1.

IU East returns to action Sept. 11 and 12 at the Cedarville University Invitational.

The Red Wolves play Cedarville and Indiana University Southeast on Sept. 11. IU East faces St. Xavier University and the University of St. Francis on Sept. 12.

Click here to read the Richmond Palladium-Item match recap.

Click here to view a Richmond Palladium-Item photo gallery from the match.