Posted: Aug 15, 2023

Volleyball: Season Preview

Facts and figures to get you ready for the 2023 Indiana University East volleyball season:

WHAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR?

Record: Indiana University East finished 26-6 overall, which was the 12th season the Red Wolves reached the 20-win mark. The 26 victories are the most since the Red Wolves were 44-6 back in 2012.

Conference: The Red Wolves were 15-3 in River States Conference West Division last year. IU East returns to the East Division after one season in the West. The Red Wolves reached the semifinals in the RSC Championships last season falling to IU Kokomo 26-24, 25-20, 28-26.

RED WOLVES IN THE RANKINGS

3rd - IU East's ranking (out of 14) in the RSC overall volleyball preseason poll. IU Kokomo topped the list, while Point Park University was second.

QUOTABLE

"I've been looking forward to this 2023 season the moment the 2022 season finished. We lost two key leaders, but our seniors are ready for the leadership role. The freshmen class is solid. Their skills and personalities blend directly into the program. Our sophomores and juniors have improved over the spring to bring up the competitive atmosphere in the gym. This is the most united I have seen a team while being at East. We are on a mission to make a lot of noise this season. We have the schedule to do it. We do a lot to stay mentally and physically healthy to make sure we are at our best. This is a team you want to watch this season! Come join our Wolfgang this season!" - IU East head coach Kim McConaha.

BY THE NUMBERS

3 - The number of players who are back in the lineup this season after receiving national recognition. Reece Shirley (NAIA All-American), Jessica Swimm (NAIA All-American Honorable Mention) and Teah Barrett Matthews (NAIA All-American Honorable Mention).

3.73 - Barrett Matthews hitting percentage, which was the fourth best in the nation in 2022.

3.86 - Swimm's kills per set average that was 20th in the country.

5 - RSC tournament championships for the IU East volleyball program with the last coming in 2017.

7 – Total NAIA Women's Volleyball National Championship appearances for IU East with the last one coming in the spring of 2021.

11.31 - Shirley finished third nationally on the assists per set list.

MATCHES TO WATCH

Aug. 23 vs. Marian University - IU East opens the season at home against the Knights, who defeated the Red Wolves twice last season.

Sept. 19 at IU Kokomo - IU East visits the preseason favorite and defending RSC champions, who were 30-7 and 16-2 in the league as the Cougars won their fifth straight title.

Oct. 14 and 28 vs. Point Park University - The Red Wolves face the Pioneers on the road in their first meeting of the season before the battle on Lingle Court two weeks later. The No. 2 seed in the RSC Preseason Poll was 25-7 overall and 17-0 in the conference.