December 10, 2024
Wildcats Championship Bound After Sweep of No. 3 SOU
SIOUX CITY, IA. - No. 2 Indiana Wesleyan volleyball will return to the NAIA National Championship game for the second consecutive season after defeating No. 3 Southern Oregon. Martina Demarchi led IWU to the semifinal victory with a double-double of 17 kills and 11 digs.
THE ESSENTIALS
- Location: Tyson Event Center | Sioux City, IA.
- Records: IWU - 36-2 | SOE - 32-4
- NAIA Tournament Seed: IWU - #2 | SOE - #3
MATCH VITALS
- The Wildcats began the match with a 7-3 run and held an advantage for most of the set until a 7-2 run by Southern Oregon tied the set at 19. The Raiders held a 24-22 advantage before a 5-1 run by IWU stole the set 27-25.
- Another strong start by the red and gray gave them a 10-4 lead. SOE would pull within 1 at multiple points but could never draw even. A kill from Martina Demarchi gave Indiana Wesleyan a 25-20 win.
- The Wildcats looked determined to finish off the sweep early in set three, forcing a Raider timeout after a 3-0 run put IWU up 8-4. Southern Oregon battled back to knot things up at 14, but the Wildcats went on a 7-0 run on their way to a 25-18 win to secure the sweep.
- Martina Demarchi had a match high 17 kills. Eva Joldersma added 10.
- Julia Price led IWU with 5 blocks. Abbigail Porter, Marin Sanchez, and Joldersma each had 2.
- Cadee Notter had a team high 18 digs. Camaya Murry posted 14.
- Abbigail Porter led the way with 41 assists, averaging 13.6 assists per set.
LOOKING FORWARD
- IWU faces #5 Bellevue for the title tomorrow at 8:00 PM E.T.
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