COLUMBUS, Ind. – The Indiana University Columbus Volleyball Team made history this weekend, becoming the first athletic program at IU Columbus to secure a guaranteed winning regular season record.

On Friday, October 17, 2025, the Crimson Pride swept Shawnee State University in three tightly contested sets (26-24, 26-24, 25-20) during the annual Dig Pink Breast Cancer Awareness Night. The event, held at Cera Sports Park, honored five breast cancer survivors connected to the volleyball family, adding special meaning to the

historic night. Despite the close scores, IU Columbus maintained composure and delivered under pressure. Freshman setter Bailey Stevens led the offense with 20 assists, while Sadie Egan contributed 23 assists along with 5 kills. Senior outside hitter Ruthie Bingham posted a team-high 17 kills on 49 swings, hitting .224. Cora Baker added 15 kills and 9 digs, and libero Maria Otero anchored the defense with 14 digs.

The Crimson Pride carried their momentum into Saturday, October 18, with another sweep—this time over Kentucky Christian University (25-17, 25-7, 25-17). The match showcased the team's depth and efficiency. Baker shined with a .500 hitting percentage, recording 10 kills on 15 attempts with only one error. Senior Olivia Embry matched the .500 efficiency with 7 kills on 12 attempts. Stevens and Egan combined for 37 assists, while defensive specialists Alyvia Luce, Adelynn Anderson, Maria Otero, and Mika Salinas delivered a flawless serve-receive performance with zero errors. The team finished the match hitting .432 overall with 43 total kills, demonstrating one of the most balanced offensive showings of the season.

Following the historic weekend, Head Coach Jose Olivo spoke about the significance of achieving the first winning regular season record in IU Columbus athletics history:

"The 2025 season came with clear and ambitious goals for our volleyball program. The two main objectives were: to finish the season with a winning record and to qualify for the conference tournament by ranking in the top 8. For a program in just its third year of existence, these goals were not easy to achieve. Yet, as of today, we're proud to say we've already accomplished the first one. Our team holds an impressive 16-7 record, with five regular season games still to go."

Coach Olivo also discussed the team's current standing and postseason outlook:

"As for our second goal—qualifying for the conference tournament—we're getting closer. We currently sit 5th in the conference with a 7-4 record. If we continue playing the way we have so far, we're confident we'll secure our spot among the top eight."

He credited the team's success to preparation, health, and strong recruiting, highlighting the impact of the incoming class and the strength at every position:

"These results are the outcome of months of hard work, which began early in the year with a focused and well-structured conditioning program led by Coach David Granson. Thanks to his efforts, we've navigated the season with minimal injuries, which has been crucial to our consistency and success."

"This year's success also comes from a strong recruiting class that brought in impactful players at every position. All three of our middle blockers are new to the program and have given us something we lacked in the first two seasons: consistency."

"We also added Bailey Stevens, a top-tier freshman setter from Yorktown. She has been instrumental in balancing the setting duties with Sadie Egan, allowing Sadie to focus more on her offensive game. On defense, we added depth and talent—Mika Salinas, originally recruited as an outside hitter, has contributed significantly alongside Kami Vester and Maria Otero to strengthen our back row."

He also reflected on the development of leadership and culture:

"We set a third goal this season—one that may be less measurable but equally important: building a team culture. One of my personal missions has been to establish a culture where every player feels a sense of family and belonging… I've been incredibly proud of the way our upperclassmen have stepped up to welcome and guide the freshmen. Their leadership and kindness have been instrumental in creating the positive, inclusive environment we envisioned."

Finally, Coach Olivo emphasized the importance of his staff and the broader athletic department:

"None of this would be possible without the incredible support from our Athletic Department, our university, and of course, the coaching staff. Coaches Leah Thompson, Rilee Jessee, Kathy Cox, and Colvin Iorio have worked tirelessly to help us grow, improve, and succeed. Their commitment and teamwork have shaped this amazing season—and the best part is, it's not over yet."

With a current record of 16-7 and five matches remaining, the Crimson Pride are not only celebrating a historic milestone—they are continuing the winning legacy being built at IU Columbus. The softball team set the standard last spring, becoming the first IU Columbus program to qualify for a conference tournament, and win a game in tournament play. Now, volleyball is adding to that foundation, closing in on its own postseason berth and continuing to raise the bar for Crimson Pride Athletics.

Next Up: The team returns to RSC action Saturday (Oct. 25) as they travel to IU Southeast. The match is set to start at 1:00 PM.