Red Wolves - IU East

What a difference a year makes.

The Indiana University East volleyball team improved to 5-0 with a 25-17, 26-24, 25-23 victory at the University of Rio Grande on Aug. 28.

It's a complete reversal of the Red Wolves' fortunes in 2008. The Red Wolves started last season with an 0-5 record.

"The girls are learning how to play at a high level and learning how to stay focused at this level," IU East coach Charlie Brown said. "They're coming around pretty quick."

The Red Wolves got nine kills and 19 digs from Brandie Sanders (Indianapolis/Pike High School). Kait Ervin (West Alexandria, Ohio/Twin Valley South High School) added nine kills. Jessica White (Sheldon, Ill./Kankakee Community College) served up three aces.

IU East has won eight of its nine games determined by three points or less this year, including Games 2 and 3 on Friday night.

"People look in each other's eyes and are counting on each other to do something," Sanders said. "The look in each others' eyes, we know we're going to get it done. We just want to win."

The Red Wolves erased a 10-4 deficit to win Game 2. IU East tied the game at 16. The Red Wolves went ahead to stay at 23-22 on an Ervin kill. IU East won the game on its third game point when Breezy Strete (Troy, Ohio/Troy High School) slammed down a kill set up by a strong serve from White.

The Red Wolves had a few nervous moments in Game 3. IU East needed five match points to clinch the win, but never lost the lead.

"The girls seem to be very relaxed in a tight match, which is a wonderful thing to see," Brown said. "A tight match is typically when you get tight and you tend to make those mental mistakes, especially with a young team. But these girls don't. They kept pushing through and pushing through."

IU East limited the damage from Rio Grande standout Erin Sherman to nine kills and three blocks. Sherman entered the match as the NAIA leader in blocks per game. She was second in the NAIA in attack percentage.

"We knew what we had to do," Brown said. "We knew they had some great players and we were able to minimize their impact. They also had a great defense. We showed perseverance. We had to focus on our game, and we did that."

IU East gets a rematch with Rio Grande (2-1) at 10 a.m. Aug. 29. The Red Wolves also will play Central State at noon at Rio Grande.

"I'm really excited because this is just the beginning," Sanders said. "Hopefully we'll continue to progress and do better."