FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Indiana University Northwest volleyball team defeated IU Southeast in five (25-14, 12-25, 21-25, 25-14, 15-11) but lost the final match of the OnSet Tournament to Columbia International in straight sets (25-16, 25-15, 25-15).
 
The RedHawks are off to their best start since 2022 at 5-3 when they also began the year with the same mark. IUN returns to the court Friday 3 p.m. when it takes part in the Siena Heights Tournament.  
 
MATCH ONE
During the first set the RedHawks led 17-10 following an Erica Packwood ace, which was one her three in the contest. The Grenadiers would only get as close as six before IUN finished off the opener by scoring six of the final seven points.
 
After dropping the second and third stanzas, the RedHawks won the fourth behind a 9-0 run with two of points scored on Karly Jevert solo blocks. The final point of the set was scored on a Josephine Mulligan kill.
 
In the final frame Southeast led by three (7-4), and after an IUN timeout, the RedHawks scored three unanswered points to tie the match. Moments later, the RedHawks finished the set on kills by Packwood and Briah Strezo.
 
MATCH TWO
In last contest for IUN, the RedHawks got a team-high seven kills from Packwood, while Mulligan and Baileigh Uporsky added six apiece. Strezo, and Packwood combined for 22 digs and two aces.
 
During opening bout action, IUN and CIU went point for point early before the Rams used a 10-2 run to take control. Packwood gave the RedHawks a two-point lead in the second set on a kill before another CIU switched the momentum on another long run.
 
Late in the final frame after Uporsky put down one of six kills to bring the RedHawks within five, but the Rams scored six of the final seven points to take the match.