Wildcats Claim Red Banner After Epic Fifth Set Comeback

Wildcats Claim Red Banner After Epic Fifth Set Comeback
December 11, 2024

SIOUX CITY, IA. - No. 2 Indiana Wesleyan volleyball claimed their second consecutive NAIA Women's Volleyball National Championship, defeating No. 5 Bellevue 3-2. After trailing 14-8 in the final set the Wildcats fought off six straight championship points by the Bruins, led by freshman Autumn Colehour at the service line. IWU scored eight straight points to claim their second straight Red Banner with a fifth set score of 16-14.

 

THE ESSENTIALS

  • Location: Tyson Event Center | Sioux City, IA.
  • Records: IWU - 37-2  | BU - 32-5
  • NAIA Tournament Seed: IWU - #2 | BU - #5

MATCH VITALS

  • The Wildcats built a 13-7 lead in the first set, but a 9-5 run by Bellevue pulled them within 2 at 18-16. BU would take the lead at 22-21 before IWU scored the final 4 points to steal the first set.
  • Indiana Wesleyan looked ready to take control of the second set with a 14-11 lead, but a 7-0 run and a 7-2 run gave the Bruins a 25-16 win.
  • The late set momentum carried over into the third set for BU. The Bruins blitzed the Wildcats in the set, winning 25-13.
  • Down to their last set the red and gray grew an early advantage to as much as 9 points and forced Bellevue to use both timeouts. Despite a late run from the Bruins, IWU forced a decisive fifth set with a 25-18 victory.
  • The Wildcats scored the first 3 points of the fifth set, but Bellevue returned the favor with 5 of their own. After the Wildcat's knotted things up at 6 the Bruins looked ready to take the match, reeling off 7 straight to take a 13-6 lead. A kill from Marissa Mullins and a service ace from Camaya Murry made the lead 13-8. A kill from Bellevue pulled the Bruins to championship point. Following the kill, BU recorded 8 straight attack errors giving the Wildcats their second straight championship.
  • Eva Joldersma led IWU with 17 kills. Martina Demarchi recorded 16 in her final game, finishing her career 6th in career kills at Indiana Wesleyan.
  • Julia Price had a match high 6 blocks in her final match. Abbigail Porter and Marissa Mullins both had 4.
  • Demarchi added 15 digs to her stat line to lead the team. Cadee Notter posted 12.
  • Abbigail Porter led the way with 40 assists. 

ALL-TOURNAMENT AWARDS

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