Asbury Fights Back for Crucial Win

WILMORE, Ky. – Asbury rallied after dropping the first set to beat Indiana Southeast 3-1 in an important KIAC match on Thursday night.  The Eagles remain undefeated in conference and keep hopes alive to capture their second regular season title in three years.

Asbury (25-2, 5-0 KIAC) struggled mightily in the first set hitting .000 with eight kills and eight errors.  It also happened to be the best hitting set for IUS on the night, with a .257 attack percentage and 13 kills with only four errors.  Despite all of that IUS only won the set 25-21.

The second set went back and forth just like the first, with the score tied at 19-19 late.  The Eagles would score three straight before a timeout by IUS.  The Grenadiers would commit a ball handling error and Lauren Budde would record a kill before IUS could not create an attack as Asbury won 25-19.

IUS would respond in the third set, jumping out to a 6-1 lead would cause Asbury Coach JP Rader to call a timeout.  The Eagles would respond by scoring 22 of the next 31 points to take a 23-15 lead.  The Grenadiers would mount one last charge and made it close at 24-20 by scoring three straight points but Allison Rehner’s kill ended it 25-20.

The Eagles took control early in the fourth set and went on to win easily 25-12, as IUS had no answer for Asbury’s resiliency.  Brittney Rader led Asbury with 11 kills.  Emily Andrews tallied 16 assists and Mackenzie Burke added 14.  Both teams played excellent defense as the Eagles dug 77 balls led by Hannah Wheeler and Kelly Cole’s 16 a piece.  IUS had 99 digs led by Katie Johnson’s 21. 

Asbury will host University of the Cumberlands on Friday at 7:00 pm.