3-Peat: IU Kokomo beats IU East for 2020 RSC Volleyball Championship
3-Peat: IU Kokomo beats IU East for 2020 RSC Volleyball Championship
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KOKOMO, Ind. -- In a battle of undefeated teams, Indiana University Kokomo beat Indiana University East, 3-0, in the River States Conference Volleyball Championship match on Saturday, Nov. 21 from Kokomo, Ind. The Cougars (18-0) won their third RSC postseason title in a row and their fifth in the last six years. IU East is now 13-1 on the year.
IU Kokomo won the match, 25-21, 25-19, 25-18. The Cougars won the battle at the net hitting .238 compared to .099 for the Red Wolves and holding a 9-0 lead in total team blocks. IU Kokomo took control with a 2-0 lead in the match thanks to a second set that featured a 19-8 advantage in kills and a .341 attack percentage.
Erinn Adam and Lizzie Sokeland led the Cougars up front with 11 and 10 kills, respectively. Adam hit .375 and made four blocks while Sokeland hit .429 and collected five blocks. Sidney Gerig added four kills and four blocks while Lorelei Porter chipped in eight kills.
At setter, IU Kokomo had Kaley Lyons in with a double-double of 21 assists and 10 digs and Kendal Williams with 13 assists. Macee Rudy had a team-high 15 digs.
Jessica Swimm had another big match for IU East with 16 kills. That gave her 50 kills in the three postseason matches to lead the RSC Championship. Hallie Holbrook and Lexi Gentry added six kills apiece with Gentry collecting 14 digs. Reece Shirley registered 29 assists and 11 digs while Samantha Wigfield posted 19 digs.
Both IU Kokomo and IU East have qualified for the NAIA Volleyball National Championship with the RSC's automatic bids. IU Kokomo earned its national qualification as the RSC Championship winner and RSC Regular-Season title winner. IU East moves on to nationals as RSC Championship runner-up.
The NAIA Volleyball National Championship will begin with the opening round on April 17, 2021. The final site will be April 27-May 1 in Sioux City, Iowa.