FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Junior Erica Packwood led the Indiana University Northwest volleyball team with 10 kills and 12 assists Friday afternoon, but it wasn't enough in the season opening straight set loss (19-25, 15-25, 22-25) to West Virginia Tech.
 
The RedHawks are back in action at 8 p.m. (EDT) against Marian University and then wrap up the OnSet Tournament Saturday.
 
The match started out well for IUN, as Packwood picked up one of her two service aces on the day. However, the Golden Bears took the lead for good moments later when they went up 8-7 after a kill.
 
During second set action the teams traded points early on, but following a RedHawk attack error, WVU Tech responded with a 6-0 swing. IUN got within three (14-11) when Julianna Picicco hammered down a kill and then the RedHawks forced a Golden Bear attack error, but IUN could not draw any closer as WVU Tech outscored the RedHawks 11-5 the rest of the way.
 
IUN was looking to extend the match to four games and was up 13-7 when Jaelyn Donald smacked down two of her seven kills. Then later in the final stanza, the RedHawks still hung on to the advantage (19-14) after a Donald ace, but an 11-3 momentum shift closed out the set.