The Circle K Fieldhouse in Columbus, Indiana, erupted with cheers as the IU Columbus women's volleyball team secured a convincing 3-0 victory over Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College on Friday, September 27, 2024. The Crimson Pride, now improving their record to 5-3, showcased their strength and teamwork throughout the match, winning with set scores of 25-20, 25-21, and 26-24.

From the opening serve, IU Columbus set the tone for the match. Despite facing a Saint Mary-of-the-Woods team with an impressive 17-2 record, the home team remained unfazed and focused on their game plan.

Senior outside hitter Sadie Egan led the charge for IU Columbus, hammering down 9 kills with a .357 hitting percentage. Her performance was complemented by junior middle blocker Cora Baker, who contributed 4 kills and played a crucial role in the team's serving game with 2 aces.

The Crimson Pride's defense proved to be a wall against Saint Mary-of-the-Woods' attacks. Freshman libero Alyva Luze was a standout, recording a team-high 9 digs. Senior setter Addison Lemon orchestrated the offense masterfully while also contributing significantly to the defense with 3 digs.

The third set proved to be the most challenging for IU Columbus, with Saint Mary-of-the-Woods pushing them to the brink. However, the home team's resilience shone through as they clinched the set 26-24, sealing the match victory.

The victory was truly a team effort, with multiple players contributing across all areas of the game. Kera Wischmeier and Abigail Watson each added 6 and 7 kills respectively, while Maddie Hunter's serving kept Saint Mary-of-the-Woods off-balance throughout the match.

The Crimson Pride will look to carry this momentum into their next match. Which is set for Saturday, September 28, at 2pm, at Circle K Fieldhouse at NexusPark.