KOKOMO, Ind. — In a high-drama River States Conference showdown on October 3, 2026, #25 Indiana University Kokomo edge past Indiana University Columbus in a five-set match (23-25, 25-23, 23-25, 25-23, 15-9) at the Student Activities & Events Center.
The match featured four wire-to-wire 25-23 sets before IU Kokomo pulled away in the deciding fifth set to secure the victory.
Match Breakdown
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Set 1 (IU Columbus 25, IU Kokomo 23):
IU Columbus used an early 6-0 run to build a 7-2 lead. IU Kokomo battled back to tie the set at 23-23, but the Crimson Pride scored the final two points to take the opening set.
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Set 2 (IU Kokomo 25, IU Columbus 23):
The Cougars answered back in another tight frame. Leading 24-21, IU Kokomo held off a late Crimson Pride push to capitalize on an IUC service error and even the match at 1-1.
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Set 3 (IU Columbus 25, IU Kokomo 23):
IU Columbus maintained a slight edge late in the frame. Despite consecutive kills from IU Kokomo to pull within 24-23, IU Columbus recorded the set-clinching point to reclaim a 2-1 match lead.
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Set 4 (IU Kokomo 25, IU Columbus 23):
Trading points down the stretch, IU Kokomo took advantage of clutch late kills from Mya Grigsby and Cali Cummings to take Set 4 and force a winner-take-all fifth set.
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Set 5 (IU Kokomo 15, IU Columbus 9):
IU Kokomo took control early in the tiebreaker. Backed by key net defense and Grigsby's match-point kill, the Cougars closed out the frame 15-9 to complete the 3-2 comeback victory.
Team Statistical Comparison
| Statistic |
IU Columbus (CBUS) |
#25 IU Kokomo (IUK) |
| Sets Won |
2 |
3 |
| Kills |
62 |
72 |
| Errors |
26 |
22 |
| Total Attacks |
184 |
187 |
| Hitting Percentage |
.196 |
.267 |
| Assists |
59 |
70 |
| Service Aces |
6 |
6 |
| Blocks |
6.0 |
11.0 |
Top Performers
#25 IU Kokomo Cougars
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Mya Grigsby: Set a program record with 34 kills while hitting an impressive .476 (34 kills, 4 errors, 63 attacks), alongside 14 digs and 2 solo blocks.
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Mia Niekamp: 15 kills (.244 hitting percentage) and 2 block assists.
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Cali Cummings: 8 kills (.280 hitting percentage) and 2 blocks.
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Gracelynn Olson & Rylee Springer: Directed the offense with 32 assists (Olson) and 28 assists (Springer).
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Avery Littrell: Led all players with a match-high 26 digs, 6 assists, and 2 service aces.
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Trishell Johnson: Anchored the net defense with a match-high 5 total blocks (3 solo).
IU Columbus Crimson Pride
