CHICAGO, Ill. - In a spirited and hard-fought CCAC Tournament quarterfinals match, Indiana Northwest's volleyball team concluded its season with a 3-0 loss (25-20, 25-21, 25-12) to the second-seeded Saint Xavier Cougars. This marked Indiana Northwest's first appearance in the CCAC Tournament since 2019, a major accomplishment for the program and a testament to the team's growth and resilience throughout the season.
The RedHawks started strong in the first set, holding their own against a powerful Saint Xavier team. Indiana Northwest's offense was led by outside hitters Erica Packwood and Jaelyn Donald, who each contributed pivotal kills that kept the RedHawks within striking distance. Despite these efforts, the Cougars' efficient attack, bolstered by the play of Connie LeBel and Nicole Grochola, gave them the edge, allowing them to close out the set at 25-20. The Cougars' balanced attack and aggressive serving forced the RedHawks into challenging defensive positions throughout the opening set.
In the second set, Indiana Northwest adjusted and put up a strong fight, narrowing the point gap and pushing Saint Xavier to a close 25-21 finish. Setter Josephine Mulligan played a key role in distributing the ball effectively, racking up 18 assists, while Packwood continued her strong performance, ultimately leading the team with 8 kills on the night. Middle blockers Baileigh Uporsky and Karly Jevert provided crucial defensive support with timely blocks, making it difficult for Saint Xavier's attackers to maintain their rhythm. The RedHawks showed their grit and resilience, rallying with key plays from Packwood and Donald, and taking advantage of errors from the Cougars to stay within striking distance.
However, Saint Xavier's depth on offense and consistent execution proved to be the deciding factor. In the third set, the Cougars' attack became even more dominant, posting an impressive .517 hitting percentage. Indiana Northwest struggled to contain Saint Xavier's top scorers, with LeBel, Grochola, Courtney Hunter, and Carrington Smith all notching impressive numbers in kills and hitting percentages. The Cougars managed to secure the final set at 25-12, with standout contributions from setter Samantha Hovey, who tallied 41 assists over the three sets, showcasing her skill in orchestrating a balanced and potent attack. The third set also saw strong service performances, with DeHaan delivering aces that made it difficult for the RedHawks to establish their offensive flow.
Defensively, Indiana Northwest showed determination, led by libero Briah Strezo, who recorded a team-high 15 digs, with additional support from Kaelan Murphy and Packwood, who added 10 and 8 digs, respectively. On the net, Jevert was a blocking force, leading Indiana Northwest with 4 total blocks. However, the Cougars' front-row presence and efficiency, particularly from LeBel and Grochola, proved to be overwhelming. Saint Xavier's DeHaan was instrumental on defense as well, logging 16 digs and showcasing the Cougars' strength in back-row coverage.
The RedHawks' return to the CCAC Tournament for the first time in five years reflects the progress of the program and the determination of the players and coaching staff. While their tournament journey came to an end in this quarterfinal matchup, Indiana Northwest showcased their growth and potential throughout the season, laying a strong foundation for future success.
Recap by PJ Katona
