IU Kokomo volleyball team extends winning streak to 11
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Homecoming weekend turned out to be quite the celebration at Indiana University Kokomo. There were reunions and convocations on campus, focused on the Student Activities Center. And it was in that facility that the Cougars pounded out a pair of wins on Oct. 3-4 to extend the volleyball team’s winning streak to 11.
First up was the Friday night contest against the hapless Midway University squad. The Cougars sent their opponents home in straight sets, burning a trio of scoring streaks to secure all three sets.
It was a true team victory as 10 different Cougars scored a kill at the net, led by senior outsider hitter Lexi Broyles and junior outside hitter Mia Niekamp. Senior setter Allison Richman led IUK with 19 assists and five aces. Sophomore setter Macy Chafin had 10 assists in the match.
The Saturday match with IU East held a greater degree of importance as the win marked the 45th consecutive victory for the Cougars in the River States Conference; a streak that stretches back to 2022. The volleyball team prevailed in straight sets, securing and perhaps improving its NAIA ranking at No. 20.
IUK didn’t trail in the match until the third set, when the Red Wolves put together a run to lead by two – 13-11 – before the Cougars battled back and took the deciding set after five match points.
Broyles dominated at the net with 12 kills, followed closely by Niekamp’s 11. Richman delivered 25 assists, including her 2,000th career assist, for which she received a game ball.
Sophomore defensive specialist Avery Littrell made her mark during the match with 12 successful digs. Fellow second-year backline patroller Chloe Carpenter registered 10 digs in the win.
The Cougars played what amounted to a warm-up for homecoming weekend against IU Columbus on Sept. 26. Again, victory was found readily in a three-set sweep of their rivals.
This time, it was defense that set Broyles apart, as she set a career high with 10 blocks during the match. That effort turned out to be an all-time best for IU Kokomo’s volleyball program as well. She added 12 kills on the night.
Richman was a perfect compliment to the Cougars’ scorers, as she registered 22 assists during the contest. And Littrell, playing as libero, dove all over the court for 19 digs. Sophomore outside hitter Mya Grigsby made herself known during the match with four aces to go with six kills.
Now sitting at 16-5 and winners of 11 straight, the Cougars next travel to Shawnee State University (16-6) in Ohio on Oct. 10. They will next play at home on Oct. 24, as they host Oakland City University (10-10).
See additional photos from the Sept. 27 contest, courtesy of Adam Hartsough,on the Lantern’s Facebook page or group.