Red Wolves - IU East

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - "Red Wolves!" was the most emphatic team cheer to echo through the Clark State Community College gymnasium on Aug. 14.

The play of the Indiana University East volleyball team resonated loudly during the squad's first preseason appearance.

The Red Wolves took the court against United States Collegiate Athletic Association members Clark State Community College and Ohio State University at Marion.

The preseason event did not count toward IU East's 2010 record.

IU East played for about a half hour against both opponents in the morning and then again in the afternoon.

The Red Wolves won a clear majority of the points in all four rounds. Official scores were not recorded.

"It was a fun day and a good day for IU East volleyball," said Red Wolves coach Charlie Brown.

"We got a chance to get everybody in and give everyone a lot of looks, and our energy level was high all day."

IU East was a bit depleted on the left side as three players gave lingering injuries a chance to heal, but the Red Wolves' defensive specialists stepped up and played effectively on the left side.

"I would gave us an 8 or 8.5 today (on a one to 10 scale) because we had players in spots we usually don't play, but we were still able to overcome," said junior defensive specialist/libero Madison Qualkenbush (New Castle, Ind./New Castle Chrysler High School).

"Whoever stepped in, no matter where they were at, everybody played really well."

Clark State was 4-13 in 2009, but did have the tallest player in the gym on the front row.

OSU-Marion was 30-21 in 2009 and finished seventh in the USCAA national tournament.

The Red Wolves will scrimmage at Indiana Institute of Technology on Wednesday, Aug. 18 to conclude their preseason. Play is scheduled to start at 6 p.m.

IU East opens the regular season Friday, Aug. 20 at the Grace College Ramada Plaza Tournament.

"We still don't have all of the pieces together because of injuries," Brown said. "We need to get everybody healthy and contributing."